NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) sent a formal letter today to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to open an investigation into Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell. The letter accuses Mayor O’Connell and his administration of actively obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration. Full Letter HERE.

In her letter, Senator Blackburn alleges that Mayor O’Connell’s recent executive actions are designed to interfere with efforts to deport illegal immigrants with criminal records. The controversy stems from O’Connell’s executive order mandating that all city departments, including law enforcement, document and report communications with federal immigration authorities.

“The intent of this executive order is clear: obstruct ICE operations in Nashville and tip off criminal illegal aliens to avoid apprehension and detention,” Blackburn wrote. She referenced a recent joint operation conducted by the Tennessee Highway Patrol and ICE that led to the arrest of nearly 200 undocumented individuals in the Nashville area.

Claims of Jeopardizing Federal Agents - Blackburn further alleged that Mayor O’Connell compromised the safety of federal agents by releasing the names and activities of ICE and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers involved in local enforcement operations.

“By doxxing these hard-working law enforcement officers… the mayor has placed them directly in harm’s way,” Blackburn stated, adding that the disclosed information could aid violent gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. “Demonizing these brave law enforcement officers will not be tolerated,” she wrote.

Blackburn cited a 413% increase in assaults against ICE agents as evidence of the heightened risk officers face on the job.

Call for Federal Action - Senator Blackburn is calling on the DOJ to investigate Mayor O’Connell’s conduct, which she argues undermines federal immigration policy and endangers both officers and the public.

“President Trump and his administration are already hard at work deporting criminal illegal aliens and making our communities safe again,” Blackburn said. “An investigation into the mayor’s conduct would be a tremendous step forward in holding rogue mayors and local officials to account.”

Mayor O’Connell’s office has not yet issued a public response to Blackburn’s letter.

The dispute adds fuel to an already tense national debate over the role of local governments in cooperating with federal immigration enforcement.