California Governor Gavin Newsom faced backlash for condemning federal agents, referring to them as President Trump’s “civil army.” This criticism came during a recent appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” where he highlighted what he described as the “authoritarian tendencies” of the Trump administration, stating that the reality of the situation was, frankly, both shocking and distressing.
Newsom argued, “People often ask, ‘Is authoritarianism too extreme?’ But honestly, if you’re living in this country, we are witnessing extreme circumstances.” His comments were made shortly before a tragic shooting incident in Texas that resulted in multiple casualties at an ICE facility.
The governor recently enacted a law prohibiting ICE agents from concealing their identities during operations, criticizing federal agencies for having a significant impact on local law enforcement practices. He expressed a sense of lost confidence in law enforcement, saying, “We’ve lost trust; it’s appalling.” He continued, “We can’t normalize actions where masked individuals emerge from unmarked vehicles, leading to people’s disappearance without legitimate oversight or accountability. This cannot be accepted.”
This rhetoric from Newsom was met with swift condemnation, particularly in light of the recent shooting at the Dallas ICE facility, where two immigrant detainees were killed and another was critically injured. Critics highlighted the “absurdity” of his comments, especially given the timing.
Here’s what we know about the shooting at the Dallas ICE Facility
- On September 24, a gunman opened fire at a Dallas detention center.
- The shooting occurred while detainees were being transferred, reportedly as vehicles approached the facility.
- Two individuals died and one was injured as a result.
- The shooter was later found dead on a nearby rooftop, having inflicted a self-inflicted gunshot wound; their identity has not been disclosed.
- FBI reports indicated “Anti-ICE” was scrawled on the ammunition used.
- Authorities, including the special agent in charge of the FBI’s Dallas Field Office, are investigating the incident as a targeted violent act.
Following the shooting, one social media user expressed frustration, pointing to Newsom’s earlier statements criticizing ICE practices, saying, “Just days ago, Newsom asked, ‘What are you afraid of?’ Well, here’s the answer.” Another added, reflecting on the contradiction in Newsom’s comments just as the incident occurred, reinforcing the sense of turmoil and urgency surrounding these discussions.
