AG Drummond Doubles Down on Federal Law Enforcement Partnerships After OSBI Employee Backlash

When social media videos surface of a government employee criticizing a federal agency, it’s not usually the kind of story that lands on an attorney general’s desk. But in Oklahoma, that’s exactly what happened this month when Attorney General Gentner Drummond felt compelled to publicly condemn remarks made by an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation employee about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

The controversy erupted after videos attributed to OSBI Assistant General Counsel Shannon Desherow circulated widely online, allegedly showing her attacking ICE’s credibility and expressing opposition to working with the agency. The videos, shared by the conservative account Libs of TikTok, claimed she stated she would not comply with ICE agents and encouraged making their jobs more difficult. Within days, the posts gained traction across social media platforms, drawing criticism from conservative commentators and political figures calling for disciplinary action.

Drummond wasted little time responding. On July 10, he issued a statement saying Desherow does not speak for Oklahoma and that her comments do not reflect the state’s values. He went further, suggesting that anyone in Oklahoma law enforcement who opposes working with federal partners should resign. In his words: The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation’s Shannon Desherow does not speak for Oklahoma. Her comments attacking the credibility and mission of ICE do not reflect the values of Oklahomans or the views of the law enforcement professionals who work every day with our federal partners to keep our communities safe. He emphasized that Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, and ICE are critical allies, framing an attack on one as an attack on the entire system protecting public safety.

Notably, the attorney general made clear that neither his office nor Desherow’s employer formally alleged the comments were made in an official capacity. What mattered to Drummond wasn’t whether she was speaking as a representative of the state, but rather the message itself—that federal partnerships are non-negotiable in Oklahoma law enforcement. The OSBI and other state agencies routinely collaborate with federal counterparts on investigations into drug trafficking, organized crime, violent offenders, human trafficking, and other serious crimes that cross state lines.

As of the story’s publication, neither the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation nor the Attorney General’s Office had announced any disciplinary action against Desherow, nor had officials disclosed whether an internal review was underway. The silence left questions hanging: Would the OSBI take action independently, or would the controversy fade without official consequences? Meanwhile, the debate online continued, with supporters of Drummond’s position arguing that public confidence in law enforcement depends on strong state-federal relationships, while others defended the employee’s right to express personal opinions outside of work.

What’s clear is where Drummond stands. He’s made his position unmistakable: cooperation with federal agencies isn’t just policy—it’s a value.