Fact Check: Sheriff Wayne Ivey said anyone who breaks the law will face consequences.

Fact Check: "Sheriff Wayne Ivey said anyone who breaks the law will face consequences."

What We Know

On June 12, 2025, Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey made a controversial statement during a press conference regarding potential protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Florida. He warned that anyone who engages in violent actions against law enforcement would face severe consequences, stating, "If you throw a brick, a fire bomb 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" (source-4). His comments were made in the context of protests that had recently turned violent in other locations, and he emphasized that peaceful protests are welcome, but violence would not be tolerated (source-6).

Analysis

Sheriff Ivey's statement has been interpreted as a clear warning against violent behavior during protests. His use of the phrase "we will kill you" has drawn significant criticism, particularly from civil rights organizations like the ACLU of Florida, which described his comments as "extremely un-American" and inappropriate for an elected official sworn to protect the public (source-4).

While Ivey's remarks were intended to deter violence, they raise questions about the appropriateness of such rhetoric from a law enforcement leader. Critics argue that his comments could incite fear rather than promote safety and could lead to excessive use of force against protesters (source-3).

On the other hand, supporters of Ivey's stance argue that law enforcement must take a firm position against violence to protect both officers and the community (source-8). The context of his remarks—amidst a backdrop of increasing tensions and violent protests in other states—suggests a strategy aimed at preemptively addressing potential unrest.

Conclusion

The claim that "Sheriff Wayne Ivey said anyone who breaks the law will face consequences" is True. His statements explicitly warn that violent actions against law enforcement will be met with severe repercussions, including the use of deadly force. While the rhetoric is controversial and has sparked backlash, the essence of the claim accurately reflects Ivey's communicated stance on law enforcement's response to violence during protests.

Sources

1. 'We will kill you': Florida Sheriff issues brutal warning to ICE ...
2. Florida sheriff's warning to violent protesters: “We will kill ...
3. Florida Sheriff’s Warning For Protesters Sparks Backlash
4. Florida sheriff warns protesters not to attack deputies
5. Florida sheriff threatens death over violent ICE raid protests
6. Sheriff threatens protesters with dire consequences
7. 'We will kill you': Brevard County sheriff, Florida attorney ...
8. Sheriff's thinking was not wrong regarding protesters, but...