Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey delivered an unambiguous threat to potential demonstrators planning to rally against the Trump administration’s immigration policies this weekend, warning that violent actions would be met with lethal force.

“If you throw a brick, a firebomb, or point a gun at one of our deputies, we will be notifying your family where to collect your remains, because we will kill you, graveyard dead,” Ivey declared during a Thursday press conference.

The sheriff outlined a series of escalating consequences for protesters, stating that blocking roadways would result in arrest and that those who flee would be pursued. “If you try to mob rule a car in Brevard County, gathering around it, refusing to let the driver leave in our county, you’re most likely going to get run over and dragged across the street,” Ivey warned.

His comments come as demonstrations against President Trump’s immigration enforcement actions have spread nationwide following initial protests in Los Angeles last week. Additional rallies are expected throughout the weekend, coinciding with the president’s birthday celebrations.

History of Controversial Statements

This isn’t the first time Sheriff Ivey has attracted attention for his provocative statements. In 2021, after a major cannabis seizure, he issued a sarcastic invitation for the owners to reclaim their property, despite Florida’s strict marijuana laws that can result in five-year prison sentences for possession of more than 20 grams.

Ivey also faced legal trouble in 2023 when a man sued him over the sheriff’s “Wheel of Fugitive” social media series, claiming he was wrongfully included and subsequently lost employment opportunities.

The sheriff’s stern warning coincides with the Trump administration’s continued deployment of National Guard troops in California for immigration enforcement, which recently survived a legal challenge in federal court.

Read more at The Independent