By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Following an ICE officer’s fatal shooting in Minneapolis, city leaders are investigating whether state criminal law was violated. While federal officers have some immunity, it only applies if their actions were authorized and necessary under federal law. Historically, states have prosecuted federal officers for excessive force, with federal courts allowing such cases to proceed when the use of force was questionable. If charges are brought, the case would likely move to federal court, but the state prosecutor would still handle the case, and the president couldn’t pardon a conviction for a state crime.
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Minnesota Could Prosecute the ICE Shooter. Trump Can’t Pardon Him.
The situation demands immediate action. The potential prosecution of the ICE shooter by the state of Minnesota is not just a possibility; it’s a critical test of justice. The very idea that an agent could shoot an unarmed citizen, a mother, in broad daylight, and then seemingly vanish, is a direct assault on the principles of law and order. The shooter’s actions, as described, were reprehensible. The fact that the agent reportedly walked in front of the victim’s car, that she swerved to avoid him, and that he then fired into the vehicle, resulting in her death, paints a clear picture of deliberate and unjustifiable force. This is not the behavior of someone upholding the law; this is a blatant act of aggression.
Minnesota has a responsibility to act swiftly. While the complexities of federal jurisdiction and potential immunity claims loom, the state must assert its authority and investigate the shooting thoroughly. Every hour that the alleged shooter remains at large, without facing arrest, is a stain on the integrity of the justice system. The details are shocking: a 37-year-old white woman, trying to evade ICE agents, ultimately executed. The denial of aid, the lack of regard for human life, speaks volumes about the culture that may exist within some segments of this agency.
The argument that ICE is above the law is a dangerous one. We’ve seen instances where police officers face arrest for actions far less egregious than what is described here. The potential for federal immunity, as cited in the Oregon case, creates a frustrating precedent, but it doesn’t negate the state’s obligation to pursue justice. The fact that Trump cannot pardon this agent, if convicted by the state, is a crucial point, highlighting the limits of his power in such matters. This is a state matter.
The concern that the federal government might attempt to shield the shooter is a legitimate one, and it underscores the importance of transparency and public pressure. The potential for the federal government to move the case to federal courts, where it might be dismissed under immunity, must be anticipated and resisted. If the accused is convicted, the state’s decision to pursue the maximum penalty for the crime committed against the victim, is essential to protect the public. The details, the specifics of the investigation, the life of the accused, should be made public, and as messy as possible. The alleged shooter must be found and held accountable.
The narrative of unchecked power, the feeling that this could happen to anyone, is a potent driver of fear and anger. It’s essential that states act as a check against federal overreach. The claims that ICE is akin to the Gestapo are strong and concerning, and if these claims are proven, then ICE, should be referred to this way going forward. The fear of leaving the house, the fear for family safety, are understandable reactions to a perceived breakdown in public trust and security.
The call for a general strike is understandable given the gravity of the situation. The sentiment that the second amendment is being weaponized against the population should alarm those who love and support the USA. The argument that ICE is a gang or criminal organization, and should be treated as such, reflects a deep-seated distrust of the agency’s practices and its methods. Those working to uphold laws, should be treated with utmost respect, however those who don’t uphold those laws, need to be fully prosecuted.
The idea that the shooter is already out of the state, perhaps even flown out by federal authorities, speaks volumes about the attempt to protect the accused. The concern that ICE will refuse to release the shooter’s name to state investigators is a valid concern, and would likely be a way to cover up the crime. The public’s ability to identify him might be crucial. The fact that murder charges have no statute of limitations means this is a crime that can be addressed at any time, for any time in his life.
The fact that the shooter is potentially a cowardly piece of shit, and deserves the death penalty, is a reflection of the anger and frustration felt over the situation. Ultimately, what is really important is that justice is served.