Rep. Jason Smith asks "Why should you ban ICE from being at polling places?"
Jason SmithChairman of the House Ways and Means Committee
Rep. Jason Smith answers a question about ICE at polling places on CNBC's "Squawk Box," Feb. 12, 2026.
Excerpt from 5:55 to 6:31 of the CNBC video. DI added its logo in the corner.
Video: CNBC. Excerpt used for news reporting and commentary
Watch the full original video (opens in a new tab) (relevant passage: Squawk Box interview of Feb. 12, 2026; polling-place answer at about 6:05 to 6:30 of a 6:31 video)
Asked on CNBC about Democratic demands in the fight over Department of Homeland Security funding, Smith, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said, "Why should you ban ICE from being at polling places? Because illegals aren't supposed to vote in this America".
“Why should you ban ICE from being at polling places? Because illegals aren't supposed to vote in this America.”
Original video
Reporting
Where this statement fits
Should ICE and other armed federal agents be allowed at or near polling places in the 2026 election?
Since February 2026, federal officials have given differing answers about whether ICE and other armed federal agents could be at or near polling places during the November 3 election. On September 1, Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin said ICE would be at a polling place only if there is a threat to it or agents are serving a warrant, and DHS told Politico that ICE is not planning operations targeting polling locations but that arrests could result if an active public safety threat endangered one. On September 10, 18 and 23, 2026, LULAC and other groups, a coalition including the NAACP, and Democratic leaders and party committees sued separately in federal court in Washington. They allege that the administration's statements and actions violate 18 U.S.C. 592, Section 11(b) of the Voting Rights Act, or both. As of September 25, the court dockets show no motion for a preliminary injunction and no answer or motion to dismiss from the federal defendants, and no court has ruled.
Source and context
Original video
About this source
CNBC's Squawk Box interview with House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith about the fight over Department of Homeland Security funding. A host lists Democratic demands and asks what the objection to them is. The quoted wording is our transcription of the video audio.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Watch the clip from this source at the top of the page.
Reporting
About this source
The Hill's report of Rep. Jason Smith's remark on CNBC's Squawk Box. It also reports Sen. Mark Warner's concern that ICE vans could be used to intimidate voters at polling stations.
Archived copy (opens in a new tab)Before the quotation
A CNBC host listed Democratic demands in the fight over Department of Homeland Security funding, including a warrant requirement to enter private property, a ban on masks for agents and limits on enforcement at schools, hospitals and churches, and asked what the objection to them was.
After the quotation
Smith went on to say that Democrats do not like the rule of law and that if they do not like it they need to change it. The Hill reported the remark the same day, noting that Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.) had raised concern that ICE vans could be used to intimidate voters at polling stations.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is the administration's stated or threatened use of ICE and other armed federal agents at or near polling places in the 2026 election. Smith's rhetorical question argued that there is no reason to bar ICE from polling places because noncitizens are not supposed to vote. That defends allowing ICE at polling places, and he described no condition, so defends or excuses fits better than mixed or conditional.
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The Dispute Index. "Rep. Jason Smith asks "Why should you ban ICE from being at polling places?"". First published: 2026-09-26. Last updated: 2026-09-26. https://disputeindex.com/events/2752-asked-on-cnbc-about-democratic-demands-in-the