Oklahoma – Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond is condemning comments made by an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation employee about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), saying the remarks do not represent the values of the state and arguing that anyone in Oklahoma law enforcement who opposes working with federal agencies should resign.
In a statement shared on X on July 10, Drummond criticized comments attributed to OSBI Assistant General Counsel Shannon Desherow that circulated widely on social media, saying they undermined the strong partnerships Oklahoma law enforcement maintains with federal agencies.
“The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Shannon Desherow does not speak for Oklahoma,” Drummond wrote.“Her comments attacking the credibility and mission of ICE do not reflect the values of Oklahomans or the views of the law enforcement professionals who work every day with our federal partners to keep our communities safe.”
He went on to say, “Anyone in Oklahoma law enforcement who feels so passionately against our federal partners should resign. Homeland Security, FBI, DEA and ICE are critical allies to Oklahoma and my office as we combat organized crime. An attack against one of them is an attack on the entire system that protects our life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.”
Drummond later issued a second statement after some social media users mistakenly suggested the employee worked for his office.
“This individual is not employed by the Attorney General’s Office in any capacity, nor has she ever been previously,” he wrote. “The expectations for those in my office are clear and unchanging. Respect is non-negotiable and strong partnerships with our federal allies are critical.”
The controversy began after Libs of TikTok shared videos it said featured Desherow criticizing ICE and expressing opposition to cooperating with the federal agency. In one post, the account alleged that she stated she would not comply with ICE agents and encouraged making their jobs more difficult. Additional videos later circulated online, prompting criticism from conservative commentators and public officials.
The posts quickly gained attention across social media, leading to calls from some users and political figures for disciplinary action. Conservative news outlets, including BizPac Review and Red Queen, also reported on the controversy, highlighting Drummond’s response and the growing backlash over the videos.
Neither the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office nor Drummond alleged that Desherow’s comments were made in an official capacity. Instead, the attorney general focused on what he described as the importance of maintaining cooperation between state and federal law enforcement agencies.
Oklahoma law enforcement agencies routinely work alongside federal partners, including ICE, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Those partnerships involve investigations into drug trafficking, organized crime, violent offenders, human trafficking, and other major criminal cases.
Drummond has consistently voiced support for close cooperation with federal law enforcement throughout his tenure as attorney general. He has previously emphasized that collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies is essential to protecting public safety and addressing criminal activity that crosses state lines.
As of publication, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation had not publicly announced any disciplinary action related to the social media controversy. Likewise, no official statement had been released addressing whether an internal review was underway.
The debate has generated widespread discussion online, with supporters of Drummond arguing that public confidence in law enforcement depends on strong relationships between state and federal agencies, while others have defended the employee’s right to express personal opinions outside of work.
For now, Drummond has made his position clear, insisting that comments attacking federal law enforcement partners “do not reflect the values of Oklahomans” and reiterating his belief that cooperation with agencies such as ICE, the FBI, DEA and Homeland Security remains vital to keeping Oklahoma communities safe.
Oklahoma AG Drummond says government employee's "comments attacking the credibility of ICE do not reflect the values of Oklahomans" after remarks go viral
