We've seen an 8,000% increase in death threats against officers, DHS official says

DHS Public Affairs on Increased Threats to Law Enforcement & California Policies

Key Concepts:

• Increased Threats to Law Enforcement: A significant rise in death threats and targeted harassment against federal law enforcement officers and their families.
• Targeted Harassment: Includes doxxing (publishing private information), stalking, bomb threats, and physical assaults.
• California Policies: Specifically, Eric Swalwell’s proposal to revoke driver’s licenses from ICE officers and Gavin Newsom’s issuance of driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.
• Doxing: The act of revealing individuals' personal information (addresses, workplaces, schools) online.
• Rule of Law: The principle that everyone is subject to and accountable to the law, fairly applied and enforced.

Increased Threats Against Federal Law Enforcement

Trisha McLofflin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), detailed a dramatic escalation in threats against law enforcement personnel. She stated there has been an 8,000% increase in death threats directed at DHS agents and officers. This threat extends beyond the officers themselves, now targeting their families – including threats to their children’s schools and spouses’ workplaces.

This information is being disseminated on the “deep web,” facilitating stalking and harassment. Specific examples cited include ICE lawyers being followed home and hotels in Minneapolis facing bomb threats due to suspected ICE officer occupancy. McLofflin emphasized the severity of the situation, stating, “It’s really spiraled out of control.”

She criticized the lack of condemnation from certain political factions, specifically mentioning Jacob Frey and Tim Walz, and asserted that only President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas have publicly denounced the violence against federal officers. She argued that prioritizing political gain over law enforcement safety is unacceptable.

California Policies & Concerns

The discussion then shifted to policies in California, focusing on Representative Eric Swalwell’s proposal to revoke driver’s licenses from ICE officers. McLofflin characterized this as “gutter politics” and a “clear political move,” contrasting it with the state’s practice of issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants.

She highlighted the hypocrisy of denying licenses to those enforcing the law while providing them to individuals who have broken the law by entering the country illegally. She further pointed out that some of those receiving licenses may have criminal records.

McLofflin also referenced Governor Gavin Newsom’s issuance of commercial driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants, stating that these licenses have led to “dangerous and deadly consequences,” citing instances of vehicles being used in fatal accidents. She noted that Secretaries Duffy and Mayorkas are actively working to prevent undocumented individuals from obtaining these licenses and to apprehend those who do.

Apprehension of Rioters & Funding Investigations

Regarding the apprehension of individuals involved in riots and violence against law enforcement in Minneapolis, McLofflin affirmed that anyone who assaults an officer “will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” She acknowledged the ongoing violence, citing examples such as fireworks, ice blocks, rocks, and physical assaults directed at agents.

She also revealed that the DHS is investigating the funding sources behind the protests, seeking to determine if the unrest is solely fueled by domestic sources or if international funding is involved. Secretary Basson is leading this financial investigation.

Notable Quotes:

• “We’ve seen an 8,000% increase in death threats against our law enforcement officers.” – Trisha McLofflin
• “This is just gutter politics. Uh, this is a clear political move. It's quite frankly disgusting.” – Trisha McLofflin (regarding Eric Swalwell’s proposal)
• “We’ve seen these vehicles be used like missiles going down the roads and killing Americans, American children.” – Trisha McLofflin (referring to accidents involving vehicles driven by individuals with licenses obtained through California’s policy)
• “If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.” – Trisha McLofflin

Logical Connections:

The interview progresses logically from outlining the escalating threats to law enforcement to criticizing specific policies perceived as undermining law enforcement efforts. The discussion of California’s policies serves as a contrasting example to the concerns about threats and violence, highlighting what the DHS views as a disregard for the rule of law. The investigation into funding sources connects the incidents of violence to potential organized efforts.

Synthesis/Conclusion:

The interview paints a picture of a significantly heightened threat environment for federal law enforcement, coupled with concerns about policies that the DHS believes actively endanger public safety and undermine the rule of law. McLofflin’s statements emphasize the need for broader condemnation of violence against law enforcement and a re-evaluation of policies that, in the DHS’s view, prioritize political considerations over public safety. The DHS is actively working to protect its personnel, investigate threats, and enforce existing laws, while also scrutinizing the financial backing of potentially coordinated unrest.