In June 2025, as protests against mass arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents increased across the United States, a rumor that Sheriff Wayne Ivey of Brevard County in Florida threatened to kill protesters circulated online.
Ivey allegedly said officers would kill protesters who "turn violent."
Users spread the claim on internet forums like Reddit and social media platforms such as Facebook (archived), Threads (archived) and X (archived), with some pointing out the sheriff said of protesters, "We will kill you graveyard dead."
Fat elderly Sheriff (@SheriffIvey ) threatens to kill protesters. Declares his fantasies for his toothless backwoods MAGA county. However, there haven't been any protests or riots in his jurisdiction. pic.twitter.com/3LeTKXCPZY
— Anonymous (@YourAnonCentral) June 13, 2025
The threat to kill protesters who "turn violent" is correctly attributed to Sheriff Wayne Ivey of Brevard County in Florida. A video of Ivey making the comment can be viewed on YouTube.
Ivey made the comment as part of an announcement from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier promoting increased protections for ICE agents ahead of planned anti-ICE and anti-Trump protests on June 14, 2025.
A news release from Uthmeier's office read in part, "Over the past several days, violent displays of aggression against those officers occurred in and around Los Angeles, California, where leftist mobs obstructed major roadways, set vehicles on fire, and looted stores."
During a news conference, Uthmeier introduced Ivey, who then said, "peaceful protests are part of our democracy" and promised that "law enforcement are going to make sure you have a safe environment to do it in."
However, he warned, "If you let it turn violent... you do not want to do that in Brevard County."
The sheriff continued to say (emphasis added):
If somebody wants to know what I mean by "turn violent," all right, this is what I mean. If you resist lawful orders, you're going to jail. Let me be very clear about that. If you block an intersection or a roadway, in Brevard County you are going to jail. If you flee arrest, you're going to go to jail tired because we are going to run you down and put you in jail. 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. If you spit on us, you're going to the hospital and then jail. If you hit one of us, you're going to the hospital and jail and most likely get bitten by one of our big, beautiful dogs that we have here. 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 at because we will kill you graveyard dead. We're not going to play.
The statement was picked up nationwide by outlets like NBC and CBS, and aligns with statements made by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis such as motorists are allowed to hit protesters if they feel their life is in danger.
So-called "No Kings" protests are planned across the country on June 14, 2025, including in Brevard County, in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump, his policies and the ongoing raids conducted by ICE at the direction of his administration.
The No Kings website specifically points out the intention is for "nonviolent" protests to take place and reads, "We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events. Weapons of any kind, including those legally permitted, should not be brought to events."
Further, it's worth noting that Brevard County is largely a "red" county where Ivey was reelected after running unopposed in 2024, according to the county's official election results. Ivey is well known for getting headlines after making brash statements.
In 2022, he appeared in a video telling school children, "If you're a little snot who is coming into our classes to be disruptive, you might want to find another place to go to school, because we're going to be your worst nightmare starting right now." In 2017, he urged citizens to arm themselves and said, "This is war, and you better be prepared to wage war to protect you, your family and those around you if attacked."
Ivey has also been sued for defamation and accused of pressuring candidates to drop out of elections.
Ivey previously appeared alongside Trump at the White House in 2018 to "discuss and recommend legislative action that will increase border security and reform the immigration system," according to a report from Florida Today.
Snopes reached out to the Brevard County Sheriff's Department for further comment and will update this article if we receive a response.
Snopes previously verified a claim in which Sheriff Ivey refused to remove "In God We Trust" from the department's cars.