| Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sounding the alarm over what she describes as an intense rise in violence targeting immigration officers. She explained the threats against ICE agents were "getting worse" and blamed inflammatory rhetoric from the Left. |
Ten people have been charged with attempted murder after they allegedly conspired to ambush U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials in Dallas. The suspects – all young and white – fit the profile of Antifa anarchists, although police have made no official connection with that group. What is clear, however, is that it was a "planned ambush" – and that the assailants, according to President Donald Trump, were well-funded:
Trump: "There is money being put behind people. When you look at the weapons they have and the newness of the weapons, rifles that just came out and they each have the latest model?"
Randy Sutton is founder and board chair of The Wounded Blue and a 34-year law enforcement veteran. He says this is a new level of attack on ICE, which has been the target of protests since the department started enforcing immigration laws and arresting illegal aliens for deportation.
"This is something that we've never seen before," he tells AFN. "An armed group is being utilized in this new warfare against law enforcement."
On Wednesday, the White House released a fact sheet focusing on the rise in violence against ICE agents. The administration claims those agents are "facing a 700% surge in assaults" – and blames Democrats for their "dangerous, inflammatory rhetoric" directed at immigration officials.
And as for the lack of media coverage on such attacks? "The fact that this has gotten very little attention from the national media is kind of startling as well," Sutton offers.
Echoing the administration's claim, Sen. Markwayne Mullins (R-Oklahoma) told Fox News that Democratic lawmakers are not only silent, they're actually complicit.
"If this was any other situation, Democrats – at the very least – would be out there calling for gun control. [But] they have said absolutely nothing," he stated. "Why? Because they're the ones who have fanned the flames for this to happen."
One day before the White House fact sheet was released, Democratic Senators Alex Padilla (California) and Cory Booker (New Jersey) introduced their "VISIBLE Act" legislation that claims ICE agents wearing masks while conducting arrests "only escalates tensions and spreads fear" and undermines public trust in law enforcement.
Democrats voiced no such concern in years past when Antifa and Black Lives Matter activists obscured their faces with masks during riots and demonstrations that often became violent, resulting in injuries and extensive property damage.
Editor's note: Randy Sutton is author of the book "Rescuing 911"
