In a recent Senate hearing, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons blamed (under oath) the violence of immigration enforcement on the behavior of protestors.
"Two ICE agents have been murdered in the line of duty since 2003, neither in immigration enforcement operations. David Wilhelm was murdered by an escaped US-born convict in 2005, and Jaime Zapata in a shootout in Mexico in 2011. Seven Border Patrol agents have been killed in the line of duty during that time, the last in early 2025 in a shootout with an AI doomer cult in Vermont.
"The chance of an ICE or Border Patrol agent being murdered in the line of duty is...about 5.5 times LESS likely than a civilian being murdered."
Please cite the real stats next time some MAGA cultist tries to justify the killings of Good and Pretti. The lies must not go unchecked.
I lived in Minneapolis years ago, and my daughter went to the university and after graduation lived not too far from this location, so I am pretty familiar with the area. Everyone needs to know that this is typical just outside a city center, shops, restaurants and an eclectic area with friendly people. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Thank you for bearing witness and reporting on this tragic time
Is it only me who thinks the recent Supreme Court design is not that good because 3 of the originalist* judges decided that the President can actually tax people when the plain text of constitution expressly says no.
What next? 3-4 years down the drain, would they all legalise concentration camps because the president wants it and advise all the minorities in those camps that 'Work Sets You Free'?
Thank you for going there and reporting on what you saw. I feel like I’m pretty well informed by the news but i don’t hear anything else about Minneapolis now. This was heartbreaking to read. Especially kids being afraid and the community showing signs of PTSD, hyper vigilance and the fear of being abducted or killed. I’m so sad this is happening.
Thank you, Sam. We don’t often get your writing, and it’s to our detriment. I felt like I was there at Alex Pretti’s memorial, and of course I burst into tears. I try to remember that even monsters are finite and that God may even now be working to chisel away the stone from around their hearts. 💔
Every Saturday , in Newton MA, there is a resistance standout. There is anywhere from 50+ people of all ages, weather does not stop people. It is something little that we can do.
Thoughtful piece about Alex Pretti and Minneapolis, Sam.
Regarding the US Attorney debacle:
"And it’s hard to imagine a better recipe for utter chaos and low morale in a U.S. attorney’s office than to ensure nobody can run it - "
Things are functioning as planned. Chaos and low morale in the DOJ is exactly what this lawless administration wants. (Hard to imagine Todd Blanche representing anyone but criminals after he leaves office.)
Sam., thank you for this moving look at the scene. I thought I was done grieving, but clearly I am not. I see that I am grieving on many different levels and there is little doubt that I have many more tears to go before we see the end of this scourge.
Sam, Thanks for a beautifully written article. I live in the neighborhood immediately south of "Eat Street" where locals and tourists frequent many of the best restaurants in the Midwest. In the Spring and Summer my wife and I sit on the patio of the German restaurant drinking fantastic beers. Our favorite Greek restaurant is right across the street. Both establishments have been there for decades. They have been joined by many more recent arrivals from Vietnam, Somalia, Mexico, and many other places. Thanks to the entire Bulwark team for your reporting on Minneapolis and Minnesota. May you all return in a time of peace!
Nothing shows the phoniness of “Christianity “ in this country better than Trump Bible autographed by Trump. All hail the orange god.
Fortunately, Trump being Trump, no one challenges the god Trump and his destruction of the economy. It should be a great midterms. Meanwhile, ICE is building detention camps, not for detaining immigrants, but to create a slave labor force that local businesses can use and pay Trump.
It is amazing how “law and order “ Republicans are silent about the destruction of the DOJ in order to hide Trump’s crimes.
As far as Susan Rice’s comments, time to rev up anti trust and any company that doesn’t comply will lose government contracts. It is time for payback.
I am not doing very much but I can do a little to defend democracy. I went to the last No Kings protest and I plan to go to the next one. I am member of the ACLU. I give money to nonprofits helping the immigrant communities. I call my representatives in Congress and of course I vote.
I had supported the Olympic hockey team. No more.
Thank you, Sam, for taking us there with you.
I will try to keep it simple: Our Country was founded on the principle that no one person would retain ALL the power!!
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In a recent Senate hearing, Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott and Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Todd Lyons blamed (under oath) the violence of immigration enforcement on the behavior of protestors.
Let's be clear. 2025 WAS THE SECOND SAFEST YEAR FOR IMMIGRATION AGENTS SINCE 2003. From https://www.cato.org/blog/2025-was-2nd-safest-year-border-patrol-ice-agents:
"Two ICE agents have been murdered in the line of duty since 2003, neither in immigration enforcement operations. David Wilhelm was murdered by an escaped US-born convict in 2005, and Jaime Zapata in a shootout in Mexico in 2011. Seven Border Patrol agents have been killed in the line of duty during that time, the last in early 2025 in a shootout with an AI doomer cult in Vermont.
"The chance of an ICE or Border Patrol agent being murdered in the line of duty is...about 5.5 times LESS likely than a civilian being murdered."
Please cite the real stats next time some MAGA cultist tries to justify the killings of Good and Pretti. The lies must not go unchecked.
Lots of tears...for so many reasons.
I lived in Minneapolis years ago, and my daughter went to the university and after graduation lived not too far from this location, so I am pretty familiar with the area. Everyone needs to know that this is typical just outside a city center, shops, restaurants and an eclectic area with friendly people. If it can happen there, it can happen anywhere. Thank you for bearing witness and reporting on this tragic time
Is it only me who thinks the recent Supreme Court design is not that good because 3 of the originalist* judges decided that the President can actually tax people when the plain text of constitution expressly says no.
What next? 3-4 years down the drain, would they all legalise concentration camps because the president wants it and advise all the minorities in those camps that 'Work Sets You Free'?
*originalist when it is convenient.
Thank you for going there and reporting on what you saw. I feel like I’m pretty well informed by the news but i don’t hear anything else about Minneapolis now. This was heartbreaking to read. Especially kids being afraid and the community showing signs of PTSD, hyper vigilance and the fear of being abducted or killed. I’m so sad this is happening.
Thank you, Sam. We don’t often get your writing, and it’s to our detriment. I felt like I was there at Alex Pretti’s memorial, and of course I burst into tears. I try to remember that even monsters are finite and that God may even now be working to chisel away the stone from around their hearts. 💔
Every Saturday , in Newton MA, there is a resistance standout. There is anywhere from 50+ people of all ages, weather does not stop people. It is something little that we can do.
Thoughtful piece about Alex Pretti and Minneapolis, Sam.
Regarding the US Attorney debacle:
"And it’s hard to imagine a better recipe for utter chaos and low morale in a U.S. attorney’s office than to ensure nobody can run it - "
Things are functioning as planned. Chaos and low morale in the DOJ is exactly what this lawless administration wants. (Hard to imagine Todd Blanche representing anyone but criminals after he leaves office.)
I just sent in my application to be an election judge! I’ve always thought about it and decided this is the year.
Sam., thank you for this moving look at the scene. I thought I was done grieving, but clearly I am not. I see that I am grieving on many different levels and there is little doubt that I have many more tears to go before we see the end of this scourge.
Sam, Thanks for a beautifully written article. I live in the neighborhood immediately south of "Eat Street" where locals and tourists frequent many of the best restaurants in the Midwest. In the Spring and Summer my wife and I sit on the patio of the German restaurant drinking fantastic beers. Our favorite Greek restaurant is right across the street. Both establishments have been there for decades. They have been joined by many more recent arrivals from Vietnam, Somalia, Mexico, and many other places. Thanks to the entire Bulwark team for your reporting on Minneapolis and Minnesota. May you all return in a time of peace!
Nothing shows the phoniness of “Christianity “ in this country better than Trump Bible autographed by Trump. All hail the orange god.
Fortunately, Trump being Trump, no one challenges the god Trump and his destruction of the economy. It should be a great midterms. Meanwhile, ICE is building detention camps, not for detaining immigrants, but to create a slave labor force that local businesses can use and pay Trump.
It is amazing how “law and order “ Republicans are silent about the destruction of the DOJ in order to hide Trump’s crimes.
As far as Susan Rice’s comments, time to rev up anti trust and any company that doesn’t comply will lose government contracts. It is time for payback.
I am not doing very much but I can do a little to defend democracy. I went to the last No Kings protest and I plan to go to the next one. I am member of the ACLU. I give money to nonprofits helping the immigrant communities. I call my representatives in Congress and of course I vote.
Thank you! Democracy needs us all during these trying times.