Federal law enforcement agents detain a demonstrator during a raid in south Minneapolis, Minnesota, US, on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026. (Photographer: Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
According to the letter, Toledo Public Schools are facing an estimated $70 million budget deficit, while the Lucas County sheriff has requested a $6.57 million budget increase to address staffing shortages. Moreno argued that rejecting federal assistance under those circumstances was "particularly confounding" and harmful to county residents.
Moreno, elected to the U.S. Senate in 2024, also accused Gerken of doubling down on his remarks rather than apologizing, citing the commissioner’s public statement that he did not believe the county should accept money from "an organization that has delegitimized itself."
‘WORST OF THE WORST’: ICE ARRESTS CHILD PREDATOR, VIOLENT CRIMINALS AMID SURGE IN ANTI-AGENT ATTACKS
Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio. (Eric Lee/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In the letter, Moreno warned that rhetoric labeling federal law enforcement officers as "terrorists" contributes to real-world violence, pointing to attacks on ICE and Border Patrol personnel and a surge in assaults against federal agents nationwide.
"Your disgusting declaration and decision not to fund critical criminal justice and safety infrastructure in Lucas County is not only an embarrassment," Moreno wrote, "but will likely lead to more violence against law enforcement personnel."
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The senator also accused Gerken of hypocrisy, noting that the commissioner had previously urged then-President Trump to be "respectful toward the local community," while now publicly disparaging federal officers who "sacrifice so much to uphold our laws and keep our communities safe."
Ultimately, Moreno asked Gerken to respond to a series of questions in the next five days that include how much of Lucas County’s budget comes from federal funds, whether calling federal law enforcement "terrorists" is consistent with his duties, and whether county residents benefit from refusing federal assistance.
Fox News Digital reached out to Gerken for comment.
As elected Democrats across the country continue to lash out against ICE agents in the aftermath of the shooting death of Renee Good in Minneapolis, DHS told Fox News Digital this week there has been a 1,300% increase in assaults against agents and an 8,000% increase in death threats.
Andrew Mark Miller is a reporter at Fox News. Find him on Twitter @andymarkmiller and email tips to AndrewMark.Miller@Fox.com.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/red-state-commissioner-hit-with-set-of-demands-from-gop-senator-over-disgusting-ice-terrorist-declaration