By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The Trump administration has taken the position that recording Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in public constitutes a form of violence and should be curtailed. Officials have publicly stated they will prosecute those who record ICE agents, conflating free speech with threats. This has resulted in actions such as strong-arming companies to remove apps tracking ICE activity and targeting protesters and journalists, particularly in Chicago under “Operation Midway Blitz.” A federal judge issued an injunction against the DHS, citing the government’s conduct as shocking. Legal experts and court precedents confirm the First Amendment protects the right to record police in public, yet the administration’s actions demonstrate a pattern of informal repression and an attempt to stifle public accountability.
Read the original article here
The Trump administration says it’s illegal to record videos of ICE. Here’s what the law says. Well, let’s cut right to the chase: they’re not being truthful. This whole idea that filming ICE agents is against the law is just another instance of them trying to bend the rules to their will. It’s the kind of thing you expect from someone who seems to think the law is whatever they say it is.
The truth is, the First Amendment protects your right to record law enforcement officials, and that absolutely includes ICE. Courts have consistently upheld this right, with multiple federal circuits agreeing that you can film police performing their duties in public. It’s a pretty open-and-shut case, really. And it’s not just about filming; it’s about holding those in positions of power accountable. They don’t want you filming because it makes it much harder to lie and cover up their actions. It’s a clear attempt to control the narrative.
When someone’s response to being accused of wrongdoing is, “How did you find out about this?” it’s a pretty strong indication that they’re trying to hide something. The whole argument feels like a deflection from whatever they’re actually trying to cover up. The whole situation has the unsettling feeling of an “us versus them” mentality.
Their actions seem to stem from a belief that they can simply ignore the rules and operate without oversight. They seem to be acting as judge, jury, and executioner, while simultaneously demanding more due process than anyone else. It’s all about control, and the recording of events is a direct threat to that control. It’s a powerful weapon against potential abuse of power.
It’s important to remember that the First Amendment protects your right to express your views, and that includes the right to record. This whole situation is a perfect illustration of how this administration seems to disregard the law.
They will try to scare Americans by inventing “laws.” The more we record and share, the harder it becomes for them to control the narrative. This goes beyond just recording ICE; it’s about documenting all the ways in which their policies impact people’s lives. Sharing those experiences is crucial to countering their disinformation campaign.
The fact is, they don’t want you recording anything, because then the truth comes out. And as the saying goes, “When a government fears cameras more than crimes, it isn’t protecting the rule of law. It’s protecting itself.”