Tennessee’s 5th Congressional District Rep. Andy Ogles announced on Monday that the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Judiciary Committee will launch investigations into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell following the mayor's comments and actions regarding recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrests.
Ogles said the investigations will focus on the mayor's “remarks” and “the potential for aiding and abetting illegal immigration,” as well as “his conduct and whether or not federal dollars have been used in criminal enterprise.”
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The “Stop the Invasion: Defend Tennessee” press conference took place May 26 inside the state Capitol's Old Supreme Court Chamber. Though the Capitol is a public building, it was closed for Memorial Day, meaning the 100-plus protesters demonstrating against Ogles were not able to enter the building where the press conference was held.
Ogles previewed the investigation announcement in a press release on May 14, when he alleged that O'Connell is “blatantly obstructing ICE officials. By ordering city agencies to monitor and potentially sabotage ICE operations, he has crossed a dangerous line — using the power of government to shield criminal illegal aliens from the law.”
Ogles’ focus on O'Connell followed a May 5 press conference where the mayor said ICE operations in Nashville did not involve Metro Nashville Police. The same day, Metro Nashville partnered with several nonprofits to launch The Belonging Fund to “support immigrants in Nashville” in addressing “housing instability, child care, transportation, food insecurity or other urgent needs — but not legal services.” O'Connell said then that he was “deeply concerned” about a new state law criminalizing sanctuary cities.
On May 9, O'Connell spoke about the threat of a weaponized legal system during an event with New Jersey's U.S. Sen. Cory Booker. “In America, at this moment, in my hometown, in my home state, I never expected to be having to ask my legal director, multiple times a week, some version of the question, 'If I do this will I get arrested?'” O'Connell said at the event.
“We're talking about, if I talk to this person, will I get arrested? If I interact with a family member who has just lost a loved one to a possibly unlawful detention by ICE, will I get arrested? And I don't think any of us expected to be in that America.”
'Make an Example'
Another Nashville Democrat in Ogles’ sights is state Rep. Aftyn Behn.
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On May 10, Behn posted a video with the caption “MADISON ICE WATCH” on her Instagram account. In the video, she and another woman tracked Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE vehicles that were conducting immigration enforcement operations. Ogles later reposted portions of the video online, including a section in which Behn says, “We’re bullying the ICE vehicles and state troopers,” with Ogles calling Behn’s actions “reckless.”
When asked about Behn by a citizen at a May 21 Williamson County Republican Party event in Franklin, Ogles said that Behn could also be investigated by the committees, adding, “At that point, it would be up to [U.S. Attorney General] Pam Bondi at the Justice Department to [determine] whether or not they would want to pursue that.”
At a second Franklin Republican event the same day, Ogles said that the DOJ needs to “make an example” out of elected officials who allegedly impede ICE, citing the recent arrests of a Democratic New Jersey congresswoman and mayor.
“It's also a message to all the other blue cities,” Ogles said on May 21. “If you're aiding and abetting, it's a problem, it's a crime, and we're going to look into it.”
Behn called Ogles’ remarks a “distraction,” and said that her intent on May 10 was to ensure that her constituents were afforded due process during traffic stops — something she said is not happening.
Hundreds of protesters gather on the steps of the state Capitol, rallying against Rep. Andy Ogles' 'Stop the Invasion: Defend Tennessee' press conference, May 26, 2025
Ogles told Scene sister publication the Williamson Scene on May 21 — and reiterated at his May 26 press conference — that he believes undocumented people are not entitled to due process. The 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution clearly reads that the government shall not deny “any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.”
In April, state Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), who is also a practicing attorney, told the Tennessee Holler, “Obviously under our Constitution, any person who’s within the jurisdiction of the United States must receive due process. ... Due process protects all of us, and it has to be given to all of us.” Bulso appeared with Ogles Monday, but didn't attempt to correct the congressman. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently stated that anyone on U.S. soil is entitled to due process.
Behn tells the Williamson Scene, “I didn't do anything unlawful, and if he decides to pursue this, then I look forward to using it and weaponizing it against him in 2026 to tell voters what a fraud he is in his district.”
“I think we're seeing the erosion of all processes in our country right now, and under an authoritarian regime, this is exactly what happens,” Behn continues. “I ran for office knowing that this could be a risk. ... I will always fight for my constituents. They know I care loudly for them, that I'll put my body on the line. I am prepared to handle the consequences, but it's nothing more than a witch hunt, which is [Republicans'] favorite word.”
Behn says that while she's seen support from many of her constituents and fellow Democratic lawmakers, she has received some public criticism and numerous harassing and threatening messages — some of which were reviewed by the Williamson Scene.
287(g) and Crime
Protesters bang on the windows of the state Capitol, rallying against Rep. Andy Ogles' 'Stop the Invasion: Defend Tennessee' press conference, May 26, 2025
The May 26 press conference also included remarks from Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), state Rep. Lee Reeves (R-Franklin), state Rep. Kip Capley (R-Summertown) and District 28 Metro Councilmember David Benton.
Reeves used his time to “thank President Donald J. Trump, not once, but twice” for his focus on the Southern border in both terms and urged “every police chief, every sheriff, every mayor, every county commissioner” to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE.
That agreement would authorize ICE to “delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency’s direction and oversight.” Currently, eight Tennessee agencies have 287(g) agreements, including most recently the THP. As of 9 a.m. on May 27, three more agencies have pending agreements, including the Tennessee Department of Correction.
Also at the press conference, Deborah Newitz of Brentwood spoke about a burglary at her home in January, which she said occurred when her daughter was at home alone — a crime allegedly linked to the “South American Theft Group.” At one point, Newitz referred to O'Connell as “our mayor.” Though some of Brentwood is in Davidson County, the Williamson Scene confirmed that Newitz’s residence is in Williamson County.
While a post-event press release called Newitz a “victim of illegal alien gang violence,” Brentwood Police Chief Jim Colvin tells the Williamson Scene, “no violence has been associated to any of the SATG burglaries.” Ogles also referenced a group of alleged SATG burglars who were arrested last week after a series of break-ins in Brentwood and Nashville. As previously reported, Williamson County, like many affluent areas, has long been targeted by both American-based and foreign crime rings.
Ogles took limited questions during the press conference, which was interrupted by continuous chants and banging on the windows by protesters. While acting ICE New Orleans field office director Brian Acuna and assistant field office director Larry Adams were present, neither made any remarks.
Following the press conference, the doors were closed for a “private briefing” with the elected officials and ICE representatives.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Williamson Scene.
