In this comedic tragedy of modern-day politics, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey finds himself at the center of a storm that seems more like a Shakespearean farce than reality. Here we have a city where the mayor chooses to vilify those charged with protecting the nation’s borders and enforcing its immigration laws, rather than the alleged perpetrators who allegedly attack them. It’s as if common sense has packed its bags and left town.
In recent events that seem straight out of a Hollywood action film, reports have surfaced of multiple illegal immigrants allegedly attempting to attack ICE officers. Whether it was with a snow shovel, which might sound comical until you realize it can be quite a deadly weapon, or with other means, the fact remains: law enforcement officers were forced to defend themselves. Yet, instead of addressing these attacks, Mayor Frey’s knee-jerk reaction was to attack the officers instead, accusing them of being overly aggressive. One might think the officers showed up at a Sunday tea party uninvited.
Let’s rewind to 2016, back when the notion of cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities was about as controversial as apple pie. The then-President Obama was busy deporting individuals who broke the law, and even the staunchly liberal leaders of Minneapolis didn’t bat an eyelid. Fast forward to today, and the simple act of enforcing the law has become political dynamite. Instead of working with ICE, certain leaders are encouraging chaos in response to lawful attempts to enforce immigration policy—a policy the federal government was explicitly elected to implement.
If local leaders bent over backwards, anymore they’d end up pulling a muscle. The concept of encouraging citizens to resist ICE operations or flood the streets to challenge federal authority, accomplished what it usually does: complicating law enforcement officers’ efforts to do their jobs safely. It’s like inviting the fox into the henhouse and blaming the farmer for what happens next. The irony is palpable.
This political kerfuffle begs the question: how did we get here? When did respecting the sovereignty of federal law become optional? The rhetoric of resistance might be the song of the day, but it sounds more like nails on a chalkboard when put into practice. Leaders are supposed to lead, not fan the flames of division. In the end, without order, there is only chaos, and someone needs to ensure things don’t descend into absolute anarchy. It’s time to remember why there are laws in place—to protect everyone, including those tasked with enforcing them.
