When Cops Can't Tell a Threat From a Fellow Federal Agent
Mainstream media reports, like The Independent's , detail how a Vallejo police officer responded to a 911 call about a man brandishing a handgun at a female motorist. The alleged assailant? A plainclothes ICE agent conducting an 'enforcement action.' The FBI reportedly requested ICE agents identify themselves back in June 2020 after similar incidents in Portland during protests, where
unidentifiable agents snatched citizens off streets. (See NYT , 'Federal Agents, Without Badges or Warrants, Grab Protesters Off Portland Streets,' July 18, 2020). So, to recap: An agency known for operating in the shadows, whose tactics resemble those of violent criminals, is now causing confusion even among fellow law enforcement. One might wonder if their opaque methods are designed to inspire
fear or simply a stunning lack of inter-agency communication. Perhaps both? When your 'law enforcement' looks indistinguishable from a kidnapping in progress, maybe it's time to rethink the uniform—or the mission.