Adam Serwer on Why ICE Agents Should Not Wear Masks

The Case Against Masked ICE Agents

• 💡 Federal agents should not hide their identity from the public they serve, as this power demands high standards of conduct and accountability.
• ⚠️ Allowing agents to remain anonymous while using force, especially when they have a history of misconduct, begs for abuse and unconstitutional behavior.
• ⚖️ The public grants law enforcement the authority to use force, including lethal force, and this power must be revocable when abused.

Accountability and Democratic Principles

• 🏛️ The foundation of American democracy is the idea that there is no power without accountability.
• 👤 Hiding agents' identities fundamentally breaks the democratic feedback process, preventing the public from determining their own fate.
• 🚫 Concerns about doxing are not legitimate for public employees empowered to use force, as their identities should be known.

The Real Reason for Masking

• 🎭 The primary reason ICE agents wear masks is to enable them to behave in a lawless and unconstitutional fashion without fear of identification.
• 🚨 This anonymity is akin to a criminal wearing a mask to avoid getting caught, facilitating actions that unmasked individuals would not undertake.
• 🚫 The administration is essentially telling agents they can