DECORAH, Iowa – Sheriff Dan Marx complied with an ultimatum from the Iowa attorney general to take down a Facebook post that was critical of excesses by federal agents against immigrants. But the sheriff also had the last word, noting that he would assist ICE agents only with “tasks being carried out within the parameters of their legal responsibilities.” Through several weeks of threats from state-level Republicans, all dogged Trump supporters, Marx and his backers have consistently objected to gestapo-like ICE tactics to carry out massive Trump purges of immigrants. Governor Kim Reynolds and Attorney General Brenna Bird threatened heavy-duty retaliation on Marx for his Facebook post. This week Bird went to court to cut off state funds to Winneshiek County unless Marx recanted. At stake was $7.5 million – about one-third of the county budget. Not only did Bird seek to withhold funds, she demanded an apology from Marx and even dictated how she wanted it worded. Marx chose his own wording. In effect, the sheriff said he would assist federal immigration only if they were acting consistent with the principles of decency and fairness of the American judicial system. His supporters have accused Reynolds and Bird consistently of an absurd misreading of the sheriff’s original Facebook post and undue sensitivity to anybody who doesn’t buy lock, stock and barrel into Trumpism.
Marx. Sheriff since 2015. Won re-election in 2024 with 99% of vote.
Verbatim
Marx: “Obviously, I support ICE in their efforts to keep our country and community safe. They have a difficult, dangerous and important task before them. It remains my intent that our assistance be provided when those tasks are being carried out within the parameters of their legal responsibilities.”