By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Amidst heightened tensions in Minneapolis due to “Operation Metro Surge” and the fatal shooting of Renee Good, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) reported that ICE and Border Patrol agents were harassed and blocked from taking bathroom breaks by hostile protesters. The DHS further claimed that agents were attacked and had food thrown at them during these incidents, prompting the use of crowd control measures. In response to the events, various political figures have taken opposing stances, including Mayor Jacob Frey demanding the government’s forces leave and Trump threatening to invoke the Insurrection Act. Simultaneously, the Department of Justice is investigating allegations of local law enforcement impeding government operations, while further controversy has arisen from ICE activities and protests at a St. Paul church.
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ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. Honestly, the sheer audacity is almost comical. It’s like, after everything that’s been going on, after the actions that have sparked such outrage, *now* they’re concerned about bathroom access? It’s a bit hard to muster sympathy. The suggestion of using a urine bottle in an unmarked SUV is, well, a vivid image, isn’t it? It certainly underscores a feeling that many have: that these agents, or at least the operations they are involved in, have become something less than human.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. The sentiment, echoed across many of the comments, is that if you’re going to act like an occupying force, don’t expect to be treated with the same courtesies as, say, a delivery driver. Delivery drivers, as some pointed out, are at least performing a necessary service. These agents, in the eyes of many, are not. The call for bringing their own porta-potties, given their federal funding, seems like a reasonable expectation when operating in an environment they apparently consider a war zone.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. The fact that the agents are working in an environment where they’ve “nabbed the staff at a Mexican restaurant that had just fed them” creates a picture of them not being welcome. The comments are full of suggestions, such as not giving them aid, not giving them bathroom access, or letting them “sit in their own filth.” The overall tone is one of defiance and a refusal to offer any quarter, a direct response to what’s perceived as inhumane treatment by ICE.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. There’s a distinct thread of “tit for tat” running through the comments. Someone mentioned the story of the Kushners and the Secret Service needing to rent a room for bathroom access because they were denied by the Kushners. The sentiment seems to be “you take away our rights, we take away your bathroom privileges.” It’s a rather blunt expression of the idea that actions have consequences.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. The comparison to the former president wearing diapers is a particularly pointed jab, leveraging the perception of hypocrisy and a lack of empathy from those in power. It ties into the overall feeling that ICE agents are being held to the same standards and expectations they impose on others.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. There is a sense of disbelief regarding ICE’s complaints. The underlying tone is that if you’re involved in, as the comments suggest, activities that involve “shooting people in the head, strangling them to death, blinding, maiming, disfiguring and disabling people, kidnapping babies and toddlers,” then bathroom access is, at best, a minor inconvenience. This is directly contrasted with denying a protester life-saving medical care.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. The comments highlight that many feel the agents have earned their current situation. It’s a simple case of “you reap what you sow.” If you’re going to operate in a manner that’s perceived as oppressive and lacking basic human decency, you can’t expect to be treated with respect or compassion.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. The fact that ICE agents are apparently afraid to use public restrooms, because people might stop them, is also not received well. The sentiment of, “piss in your pants,” is very strong. Given the context of the work they perform, the attitude is one of, “you made your bed, now lie in it.”
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. This is particularly relevant when you consider the impact this issue has on the trans community, as voiced in the comments. The idea that their Tuesday, as a trans person, is the very situation ICE agents are now complaining about just adds further fuel to the fire.
ICE whines that protesters in Minnesota won’t even let agents take bathroom breaks. This whole situation is seen as an ironic turn of events. Many perceive a sense of a lack of self-awareness. Ultimately, the overall sentiment is clear: ICE’s complaints about bathroom access are not going to garner much sympathy, and, in fact, are likely to be met with derision and continued resistance.