Democrats' Threats to Prosecute ICE Agents Risk Destroying Democracy Like Rome's Fall
Source: Hayden Daniel. "Dems' Plan To Jail ICE Makes Roman Republic's End Look Quaint." April 22, 2026. thefederalist.com
The Gist
The author argues that Democrats are threatening to jail not just Trump but also regular government workers who follow his immigration orders. He compares this to ancient Rome, where similar political persecution led Caesar to start a civil war that destroyed their republic, warning America could face the same fate.
Conclusion
Democrats' threats to prosecute federal employees who carry out Trump's lawful orders could lead to the collapse of American democracy, similar to how the Roman Republic fell when Caesar crossed the Rubicon
Premises
- Democrats, led by Tom Steyer and others, are threatening to prosecute not just Trump but also rank-and-file ICE agents who carry out immigration enforcement
- This represents an escalation beyond targeting political opponents to threatening ordinary government employees performing lawful duties
- In ancient Rome, the Senate threatened to prosecute Caesar but never considered prosecuting his soldiers, yet Caesar's legions remained loyal to him over the republic
- Caesar crossed the Rubicon and started a civil war that ended the Roman Republic when faced with prosecution by his political enemies
- Federal employees and military personnel may face the same loyalty choice between their commander (Trump) and the system if Democrats follow through on prosecution threats
- The Roman Republic fell due to 'ambition and petty spite' - the same forces driving Democrats' vendetta against Trump
Assumptions
- ICE agents are carrying out lawful orders rather than illegal activities
- Democratic threats of prosecution are politically motivated rather than based on legitimate legal violations
- Federal employees will prioritize loyalty to Trump over institutional loyalty if forced to choose
- The Roman Republic analogy accurately parallels modern American democracy
- Democrats will actually follow through on their prosecution threats if they regain power