Gov. Josh Shapiro sharply criticized President Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Friday, blasting a racist social media post targeting the Obamas and denouncing what he called a “secretive” federal warehouse purchase in Berks County that could be used to detain immigrants.
Speaking after an event at the Steamfitters Local 420 union hall in Northeast Philadelphia, Shapiro said he strongly opposes ICE’s $87 million acquisition of a warehouse on 64 acres in Upper Bern Township. The Democratic governor said the state was not alerted in advance about the purchase and argued that the federal government’s approach undermines public trust.
Shapiro added that Pennsylvania is exploring whether it has any legal means to prevent ICE from using the building as a detention center, though he acknowledged the state’s options are limited.
“We’re exploring what legal options we may have to stop” the procurement, Shapiro said, but noted that “those options are very slim, given that the federal government is the purchaser.”
He suggested the Berks County property would be better suited for economic development rather than immigration detention.
Shapiro’s comments come as he has become increasingly outspoken in recent weeks against ICE policies and Trump’s rhetoric while touring the East Coast promoting his new memoir. The governor is also in the midst of a reelection campaign against Trump-endorsed Republican Stacy Garrity, who has urged cooperation with ICE.
At the union hall event, Shapiro also condemned Trump for sharing a racist video depicting former President Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama as apes — a post that drew bipartisan outrage. Shapiro accused Trump of lowering the tone of national discourse.
Trump removed the video early Friday afternoon.
Shapiro also pushed back against Trump’s recent suggestion that the federal government should oversee elections in major cities, including Philadelphia.
“The president of the United States doesn’t run our elections,” Shapiro said. “County officials run our elections, Republican and Democrat alike.”
Source: Phila Inquirer