Newsom Critiques ICE Agents for Mask-Wearing
California Governor Gavin Newsom expressed concerns on Monday regarding U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing masks, suggesting it was an attempt to instill fear.
The families of ICE agents have reportedly been facing “doxing,” which involves the unauthorized sharing of personal information. According to a recent press release from the Homeland Security Agency, this trend has been alarming. Still, Newsom questioned the necessity for ICE agents to conceal their identities and pondered what they might be afraid of.
“Why are they hidden? What are you afraid of?” Newsom asked during a press event. He added that this secrecy contributes to increased stress and anxiety. It raises doubts about their operations, which become harder to identify, especially among various government agencies.
He continued, expressing concern about the message being sent. “It’s not America. It’s not what our founders envisioned,” he stated. While he acknowledged the importance of apprehending dangerous individuals, he seemed to differentiate between those actions and the current state of affairs.
On May 30, Border Patrol Chief Tom Homan mentioned that attacks on ICE agents are increasing and that doxing incidents have reached unprecedented levels. Homan explained that the masks serve as a protective measure for agents and their families.
Democrat Dan Goldman, a New York representative, shared his disapproval of ICE agents wearing masks during operations on June 1. “I worked with ICE agents as a federal prosecutor for a decade, and I never saw them wear masks,” Goldman commented. “If everything is above board, why the need to hide?”
Further criticism came from various Democratic politicians, who drew comparisons between masked ICE agents and threatening groups. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu noted the similarity to a local neo-Nazi organization, stating, “I know there are groups that wear masks daily.” Meanwhile, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called ICE agents the “modern Gestapo,” suggesting their tactics are aggressive and inhumane.
