Over the past several weeks, I’ve spoken out firmly about the safety and security of our federal agents across the country. Unfortunately, many in the media and political sphere continue to disparage the men and women who are simply fulfilling the missions they’ve been legally mandated to carry out.
Some individuals have even gone so far as to threaten the anonymity of these agents—demanding they remove their face coverings and threatening to expose their identities. This is not only reckless, it’s dangerous.
Recently in Portland, rioters escalated their violence against federal law enforcement. A mob of approximately 250 individuals launched fireworks at officers, used high-powered lasers to temporarily blind them, and attempted to storm a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office.
As a result of their violent actions, five individuals were arrested on charges that include assaulting federal officers.
Let me be perfectly clear: we will not stand by while criminals attack those who protect our communities.
Federal officers are currently facing a 413% increase in assaults—a staggering rise that underscores the dangerous environment in which they operate.
These brave men and women are risking their lives to apprehend murderers, rapists, gang members, and others who threaten public safety.
Secretary Noem’s message to the rioters is clear: “you will not stop us or slow us down. ICE and our federal law enforcement partners will continue to enforce the law. And if you lay a hand on a law enforcement officer, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
We will not be silenced. We will not be stopped. We will continue to do the job we’ve been entrusted to do—upholding the law with professionalism and ensuring the safety of our communities to the fullest extent possible.
We recognize that the vast majority of Americans exercising their First Amendment rights are doing so peacefully and lawfully. But those who infiltrate these protests to incite violence, destroy property, or attack officers will not be tolerated.
The overwhelming majority of this country stands with our law enforcement officers—men and women who put on the badge each day with courage and conviction. It is a loud and disruptive minority that seeks to divide us, undermine public trust, and exploit unrest for their own agendas. But their noise will not drown out the truth: America’s law enforcement community remains strong, united, and committed to protecting the nation we serve.
