Dupage Policy Journal

Naperville Republican and retired U.S. Army Major Michael D. Pierce entered the race for Congress in Illinois’ 11th District a week before violent anti-ICE protests in downtown Chicago resulted in vandalism of police cars, federal buildings, public monuments, and even someone's Tesla that was defaced with swastikas. 

Multiple police officers were injured with seventeen people arrested for the violence and destruction. 

“There have been notable examples of violence that have erupted in other locations from people who participate in these groups,” Pierce told the DuPage Policy Journal. 

The anti-ICE protests in Chicago, corresponding with massive demonstrations in Los Angeles, have cost the city nearly $20 million, including nearly $600,000 in damages to city buildings, over $523,000 for street cleaning and $85,712 for graffiti removal.

Pierce acknowledged the value of peaceful protest while condemning the violence that has overshadowed recent demonstrations.

“Peaceful demonstrations are an important part of our country's freedoms,” he said. “We must all work to understand each other's issues—but burning, looting, attacking police and others is not going to win over the majority.”

The retired Army major placed blame squarely on what he sees as a radical turn within the Democratic Party, pointing to the growing influence of far-left organizations allegedly connected to foreign interests. 

One name that has surfaced in the conversation is Neville “Roy” Singham, a former Chicago tech entrepreneur with known ties to communist ideology and the Chinese Communist Party. 

Singham’s group, the People’s Forum, reportedly funds the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL), which is suspected of supplying materials for the June protest. 

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) has called for a Justice Department investigation into Singham and his wife, Code Pink founder Jodie Evans, over concerns they may be acting as unregistered foreign agents.

Pierce echoed those concerns, criticizing the increasing politicization and volatility of public demonstrations. 

“Unfortunately, it is a sad replay of what we have seen many times in the several decades...violence triggering more violence under the guise of protest,” Pierce said. “Many well-meaning people become swept up in an idea or movement, without all the facts—they react, and others who are manipulating them send in organizers and instigators and push their agenda.”

Pierce argued that recent unrest is part of a broader strategy by political groups to exploit disorder for political gain.

“They get a win if there is chaos, and they get a win by protesting,” Pierce said. “The party that is not in power has a right to protest. However, there is a significant difference in how the Democrats and the Republicans have been protesting over the years.”

He says the Democratic Party's handling of protest movements has fueled escalating violence and division.

“These latest iterations of protests, supported by the Democratic Party, have rapidly descended into riots nearly every time. America has a way of working out our differences and policies—it is called an election.” 

Pierce expressed deep concern about the influence of far-left factions within the Democratic Party and their impact on the political landscape.

“The socialist-Marxist side of the Democratic Party has taken it over, and they refuse to accept the results,” he said. “Instead, they hope that by acting out they will intimidate Republicans and voters to accede to their demands and allow the country to be coopted by them and destroyed by building divisions within and exploiting the differences they highlight.”

The violence also comes as Democratic Governor JB Pritzker faces growing backlash for allocating $638 million in taxpayer funds for illegal aliens—including $160 million for shelter and job assistance. 

“They draw away resources for our most vulnerable communities who continue to be underserved- our American minorities, the disabled, senior citizens and Veterans,” he said. 

He warned that unchecked immigration and political dysfunction are undermining the country’s most vulnerable. 

“Political leaders have a huge platform to lead by example and work to offer solutions,” he said. “The President was elected with a mandate to get illegal immigration under control. This bothers the Democrats because it undermines their efforts to pack their strongholds with numbers to draw in federal resources that they can use to control and maintain their power positions.” 

He stressed the importance of focusing on substantive issues rather than letting protests devolve into violence fueled by misinformation.

“The protests distract from the real issues that need to be addressed, and instead allow a negative narrative to be presented, with cherry picked facts, that is designed to inflame emotions that inevitably leads to violence,” he said. “Leaders must take a stand to condemn the trend to violence and call for all sides to exercise prudence and common sense.” 

In early June, Pierce officially entered the Republican primary for Illinois’ 11th Congressional District, launching his campaign to unseat Democratic incumbent Bill Foster in 2026. He joins former IL-14 Republican primary candidate Charlie Kim and construction executive Tedora Brown in the race for the Republican nomination.

“I am running to continue to serve our country and believe that America is the greatest country in the world!” Pierce said. “We must take care of all Americans, but American also need to value each other and celebrate our story.”