Former Republican state Rep. Chad Christensen of Ammon will be one of five guest speakers at the Idaho Stands With ICE rally at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31, at the Idaho State Capitol in Boise.
The event is organized by the Idaho Liberty Dogs, a right-wing, grassroots activist group based in Boise that focuses on constitutional rights, “America First” policies and conservative causes. The group frequently organizes protests and rallies in the Boise area.
The group’s public stance includes supporting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), border walls and opposing what it terms the “invasion” of the country.
“It’s a cause I believe in,” Christensen said, “to get rid of illegal immigrants that are criminals.”
“There have been plenty of protests against ICE in Idaho, and we want to show our support for their mission.
“I believe in coming here to the United States legally,” Christensen said.
Critics condemn ICE agents for wearing masks and not identifying themselves.
“I’m former law enforcement, so I understand their concern about being recognized and doxxed,” Christensen said. “I believe that’s the reason why they are wearing those masks, so they don’t get threatened and their families threatened.
“I wish they didn’t have to,” he said. “I don’t like the look. But if safety is the number one concern, I understand why.”
Christensen also denied that ICE agents use aggressive enforcement tactics as in Minnesota, most recently.
“I don’t feel that they’re aggressive,” Christensen said. “I’ve always been an advocate of not having police being overbearing or too aggressive. When police have gone beyond their scope of use of force I have been an advocate for standing against that. If ICE has shown that at times, I wouldn’t agree with it.”
ICE has officially asserted the authority to forcibly enter private residences without a warrant signed by a judge, according to internal memos and current enforcement practices. This marks a major reversal of longstanding policy that previously required a judicial warrant or voluntary consent for home entry.
“I don’t agree with that,” Christensen said. “We’re in the United States and you have to have a warrant. That should not be taking place without a signed warrant by a judge.”
Christensen, 52, is a former state representative (2018–2022) from Ammon, known for his far-right, pro-gun and anti-COVID restriction stances. He represented District 32B.
He is running for the House seat in District 35A this year. Mike Veile currently holds that seat.
Christensen said he’s seeking a return to politics because of the passion he has for the Constitution and freedom.
“It hasn’t gone away,” he said. “I want to contribute that way again.”
Christensen said he has a love-hate relationship with politics from his time in the statehouse.
“I don’t miss the negativity that comes at you when you’re in office,” he said. “But I do miss the camaraderie that I had with other legislators and standing for the people that I represent that want freedom and less government restrictions.”
(6) comments
If Chad spoke at this bund rally, the Idaho Press story ignored him. Good work, Idaho Press.
Vote for hatred death and war vote red
If people wanted to hear what Chad Christensen has to say, they would have voted for him. They couldn't wait to vote him out.
Trump still claims he lost 2020 election. He is spending millions of tax payer dollars and trying to get refunds for the millions spent in 2020 fraudulent claims.
Trump can't get it through his head that the majority of this country is not Fascist. It is only suck loving Confederate trash like Christiansen who see Fascism as the real America. Heil Hitler
And yet, he won the last election rather handily. What does that say about what the majority of the country wants?
A guy named Christiansen from Ammon wants about causes he believes in.
Interesting. The Klu Klux Klan has cause they believe in as well. Probably one and the same . He labels his causes a certain brand of freedom. Freedom for who he doen;t explain necessaily. The causes of the Klu Klux Klan are anti-immigrant, anti Catholic, anti black and brown and any other nationality that isn't a Confederate killer. It is after all a free country and the NAZIS, now that they have taken power in the Federal government, have a right to crow, and tell the rest of America how inferior we all are not being blue bloods and loyal to Master Race ideology.
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