Feds Lose ICE Protester Cases, Still Pursue Dissent
Apparently, the Department of Justice prefers to lose in court rather than tolerate dissent. The Intercept highlights how the feds are repeatedly prosecuting and losing cases against individuals protesting ICE operations, like the instance of activists blocking an ICE tow truck in Los Angeles. This pattern of pursuing charges, despite a consistent lack of legal success, appears less about justice
and more about chilling free speech—a classic move to ensure American protestors of state violence face a legal gauntlet, even when the state routinely fails to prove its case. One might wonder if this aggressive stance against domestic critics would soften if the protests were directed at, say, foreign military actions benefiting specific lobbying groups. Yet, the administration, which professes
democratic values abroad, seems content to drain resources on proving that protesting a government agency is 'bad,' rather than addressing the agency's actions that fuel the protests. The message is clear: dissent is expensive, even when it's legally sound.