US Olympic Athletes Protest ICE Ahead of Milan Games

Several US athletes at the 2026 Winter Olympics are protesting the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Games, instead promoting messages of compassion and personal values.

Gus Kenworthy: Gus Kenworthy, a British-American Olympic skier posted a photo on social media with the words "f–k ICE." He urged viewers to call their Senators to speak up about ICE and ongoing negotiations about Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding. Kenworthy, who was born in Great Britain but grew up in Colorado, has represented the US in the 2014 Olympics, but competed for Great Britain in 2019.

Chris Lillis & Hunter Hess: In an interview Friday, Team USA freestyle skiers, Chris Lillis and Hunter Hess also both spoke out against ICE and political division in the US. Hess told reporters that representing the US brings up "mixed emotions" as "there's a lot going on that [he's] not the biggest fan of." He said he's representing his friends, family and "all the things [he] believe[s] are good about the US." Lillis said he loves the USA and "would never want to represent a different country" but that he feels "heartbroken" about ICE actions back home.

Representing Values: Team USA hockey player Kelly Pannek and snowboarders Stacy Gaskill and Bea Kim all reiterated messages on social media of "acceptance", "kindness" and "compassion" amid "hate and fear." Gaskill wrote the flag represents "bravery, honesty and kindness" and "those who are standing up to protect…those they have never met." Cross-country skier Jessie Diggins said she's competing for "an American people who stand for love…honesty, and respect for others." US figure skater Amber Glenn spoke out about President Trump's "rollback of protections" for the LBGTQ+ community.

For Context: In January, Trump announced ICE agents would be deployed to the Olympics in Milan, Italy, sparking dismay among local leaders and protests. PBS (Lean Left bias) reported Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a unit within ICE, frequently sends its officers to overseas events like the Olympics to assist with security and cross-border crimes. It also noted HSI is separate from the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), which are at the forefront of Trump's immigration crackdown.

How the Media Covered It: Outlets across the political spectrum highlighted posts and comments made by the athletes. The New York Post (Lean Right) focused on Kenworthy and his switch from Team USA to Great Britain. Axios (Lean Left) said athletes were speaking out more broadly against the Trump administration and outlined different issues being protested. Newsweek (Center) contextualized the protests within the recent killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by ICE officers.

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