In a statement provided to The Tennessee Star, U.S. Department of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin on Friday said “sanctuary politicians” and their allies in the media were responsible for inspiring the threats targeting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that recently led to criminal charges against a 68-year-old Knoxville, who is accused of threatening to harm and kill ICE agents in statements posted to the far left social media platform Bluesky.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the two-count indictment against David Kerr on Monday, stemming from posts he allegedly made to Bluesky in June 2025 and October 2025.
“Time to bear spray ICE,” Kerr allegedly wrote in June 2025. In a second post made last October, he allegedly wrote, “Kill the ice military police!”
Before crediting federal agents working in Knoxville for working to secure the indictment, Mullin called for an end to violent rhetoric in his statement.
“This man publicly and shamelessly threatened the brave men and women of ICE on social media, calling for them to be injured and killed,” said Mullin. “Anyone who threatens federal law enforcement will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Mullin added, “Thanks to HSI Knoxville and our partners at the Department of Justice, he is facing up to 10 years in prison and a fine of $500,000 if he’s convicted. This violent rhetoric against our law enforcement must stop.”
The DHS Secretary then laid blame on Democrats and their media allies.
“DHS is calling on sanctuary politicians and their mouthpieces in the mainstream media to stop encouraging this hateful language before any more ICE officers are hurt, or worse, in the line of duty,” said Mullin.
More than 120 illegal aliens were arrested during an ICE operation at a Memphis nightclub last month. In January, a state report revealed there were more than 11,000 arrests or convictions of illegal aliens in Tennessee last year.
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Tom Pappert is a 2025 recipient of the Dao Prize and the lead reporter for The Tennessee Star. He also reports for the Star News Network. Follow Tom on X. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “David Kerr Arrested” by HSI-Nashville.
