Talarico rally warmup act calls for abolishing ICE, contrasting Senate hopeful's message
Malik Williams Calls for ICE Abolition and Cannabis Legalization at Lubbock Rally
LUBBOCK, Texas – At a rally for U.S. Senate nominee James Talarico on Tuesday, Democratic state‑legislature hopeful Malik Williams urged a radical overhaul of U.S. immigration enforcement and pushed for the legalization of marijuana.
Williams, who is vying for a seat in the Texas House, addressed a packed crowd in downtown Lubbock, Texas. “We can legalize and tax THC and cannabis. We’re gonna abolish ICE, we’re gonna tax the rich and we’re going to get my friend, the next United States senator from the state of Texas, James Talarico, elected!” he shouted, drawing a roar of applause from supporters.
The rally, which coincided with a broader campaign event for Talarico, also saw Williams criticize President Donald Trump, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and the Republican Party’s handling of data‑center projects. “When we have embarrassing loser representatives that support a fascist, racist, rapist, war criminal, I say we deserve better!” he declared. “We need better policy on data centers, education, childcare and health care.”
Talarico, a Democrat who is seeking a seat in the Senate in a state that has historically leaned Republican, has largely kept his stance on ICE more moderate on the campaign trail. In a joint town hall held by CNN and the political news site Jubilee, Talarico denied any intention to abolish ICE. “We need Immigration and Customs Enforcement in this country,” he said. “But that’s not what we’re seeing. What we’ve seen over the last year is a secret police force, and that’s what we don’t want in this country.”
The remarks came after a January primary debate with fellow Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crockett, when Talarico said it was time to “tear down” ICE, citing alleged violent incidents involving the agency. He has also called for congressional hearings of ICE agents to testify on enforcement actions.
The issue of ICE remains highly divisive nationwide. According to a July YouGov/The Economist poll, 67% of Republicans strongly oppose the abolition of ICE, while 48% of Americans overall support it. In Texas, a February poll from The Texas Politics Project found that only 42% of voters view ICE as favorable, compared with 47% who see it as unfavorable.
“ICE has crossed the line for many,” a pollster noted, citing concerns about the agency’s conduct. “But it also has supporters who see it as a necessary tool for national security.”
Williams’s advocacy for cannabis legalization and the broader policy platform—taxing the wealthy, expanding education funding, guaranteeing childcare, and expanding healthcare—align with the growing progressive wing of the Democratic Party. He also targeted the state’s stance on data centers, arguing that local ranchers and farmers were being forced to accept new infrastructure projects without consent.
Neither Williams’s campaign, Talarico’s team, nor Paxton’s office has responded to requests for comment.
The upcoming Senate race will test the ability of Texas Democrats to translate these policy positions into electoral victories in a state that has traditionally favored Republican candidates. As the campaign heats up, the debate over ICE and other social issues is likely to remain a central point of contention.
