IJB will be hosting a conversation with TSN’s Rick Westhead in Toronto on January 29th. The discussion will provide an unflinching look at the complexities of Canadian hockey culture. Tickets are available for those interested in attending.
In response to the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by a Border Patrol agent in Minneapolis, over half of House Democrats are now backing a resolution to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This effort, spearheaded by Rep. Robin Kelly, has gained support from both progressive and moderate Democrats, including Senator Jacky Rosen, who has also called for Noem’s impeachment. The push for impeachment follows criticism of Noem’s handling of the situation and the actions of ICE agents in Minneapolis. However, it is unlikely the resolution will pass due to lack of Republican support in both the House and Senate.
Senator Jacky Rosen is advocating for the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem due to the handling of ICE enforcement incidents in Minneapolis, specifically the recent shooting death of Alex Pretti. Rosen criticizes Noem’s response to the incident, calling the attempt to mislead the public deeply shameful. The senator’s call for impeachment is fueled by the lack of video evidence supporting Noem’s claim that Pretti brandished a weapon, leading to questions about the justification of the shooting.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel withdrew from the race, citing the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations as a “federal retribution” against Minnesota citizens. Madel criticized the expanded scope of Operation Metro Surge, which he believed instilled fear in citizens, particularly those of color, and led to unconstitutional actions. His decision followed public outrage over the deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minneapolis, and Madel expressed concern that the operations would harm Republicans statewide. He called for support of local law enforcement caught between federal mandates and community relations.
Investigators are currently reviewing body-camera footage from immigration agents involved in the fatal shooting of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, with the Department of Homeland Security confirming the existence of multiple videos. The agents involved belonged to the Border Patrol Tactical Unit, which has a higher rate of body-worn cameras. The shooting occurred in Minneapolis, leading to conflicting accounts of the events, with eyewitness videos contradicting some elements of the official narrative. As a result, the body-camera video could be crucial evidence in clarifying the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the subsequent legal proceedings.
Chris Madel, a Republican candidate for Minnesota governor, has ended his campaign after a second protester was killed by federal agents. Madel, a lawyer who previously represented the ICE agent involved in the shooting of Renee Good, cited his inability to support the national Republican party’s actions and policies. He criticized the expansion of “Operation Metro Surge” and the detention of citizens based on their skin color, as well as the Department of Homeland Security’s practices. This comes amid increased scrutiny of federal agents’ actions and a shifting political landscape in Minnesota, where no Republican has won a statewide election since 2006.
Amidst controversy, the Trump administration has been accused of secretly planning to send ICE agents to provide security for the U.S. delegation at the upcoming Winter Olympics in Italy. Despite initial denials, and then confirmations, Italian officials have vacillated on the matter. The plan has ignited anger and sparked calls to prevent ICE agents from entering the country, with critics citing concerns over the agency’s history of violence and overreach. While the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has confirmed ICE’s involvement in assisting with security, Italian authorities continue to deny the agency will operate within the country.
The United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) is now official, a year after the Trump administration initiated the process. Despite the mandatory one-year withdrawal period and a requirement to settle financial obligations, the US immediately severed ties and left $278 million in unpaid dues. The decision to leave stemmed from former President Trump’s criticisms of the WHO’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship with China. Furthermore, the US State Department has stated that the debt will not be paid.
The focus of our attention should be on the impending authoritarian takeover and the violence occurring in Minneapolis, not on distractions like weather reports or political gaffes. The author emphasizes the killings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good, highlighting the urgent need to support those affected by the government’s actions. The real story involves the masked agents, arrests, violence, and kidnappings happening across the country, which should be the primary focus of all media. To combat this, the author suggests a national strike, acknowledging the difficulties, but emphasizing the importance of staying focused to prevent further spread of the crisis.
John Q. Hosedrinker
ICE Agent Morale Plummets Amidst Criticism, Long Hours, and Quotas
Amid the Trump administration’s aggressive anti-immigration operations, morale is reportedly plummeting among federal law enforcement officers from ICE and Customs and Border Patrol. Officers expressed disillusionment with the tactics and leadership, particularly after a deadly shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal agent. According to reports, many agents support the deportation agenda but have serious concerns about its execution and the messaging from top officials. Furthermore, there is also extreme frustration within the department over the claims and narratives pushed by DHS in the aftermath of the shooting, eroding trust and credibility among the agents.
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