Maddow Blog-Pointing to protesters, but not ICE agents, Trump demands arrests of those in masks

[LetMyPeopleVote]

Last edited Mon Jun 9, 2025, 12:08 PM - Edit history (1)

The president wants protesters in masks to be taken into custody, but immigration enforcement agents in masks are apparently fine.

So if I have this straight: ICE agents wearing masks is fine, but protesters wearing masks should be arrested — even if it’s legal — because Trump issued an online edict?

Seems ... flawed. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-09T15:33:24.969Z

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/pointing-protesters-not-ice-agents-trump-demands-arrests-masks-rcna211787

A variety of Democratic officials have made the case that ICE agents should stop shielding their faces. On Saturday night, Tom Homan, the administration’s “border czar,” told Fox News he’s asking the Justice Department to investigate the Democrats' statements in order to “see if there is something we can do” — as if the comments in support of transparency might somehow have crossed legal lines.

On Sunday, the president went further, publishing a message to his social media platform that read in part, “[F]rom now on, MASKS WILL NOT BE ALLOWED to be worn at protests. What do these people have to hide, and why???”

In context, I’m reasonably sure he meant protesters won’t be “allowed” to wear masks, but ICE agents will.....

With this in mind, on “Face the Nation,” CBS News’ Margaret Brennan asked Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a very good question: “President Trump said masks will not be allowed to be worn at protests. Who’s going to enforce? That and how? And how can you justify it when law enforcement officials have their faces covered?”
https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:aunpu65mdrhwfie7ynymlzeh/post/3lr454jchas26

Link to tweet

After some back and forth, the South Dakota Republican ultimately replied that she was reluctant to go into specifics “because we never do when it comes to law enforcement operations.”

It was hardly a reassuring response.

[Torchlight]

1. In effect saying "hold ICE to a lower standard than you hold yourselves to"

When sanctioned to carry out the will of the state, masked agents are our government's implicit admission of guilt.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. Privilege, Projection, and power grab all in one throw /nt

[magicarpet]

3. Kristi Noem says,...

The Gestapo is going to continue to Gestapo with impunity - get used to it you whimpering + sniveling Lib.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

4. Updated OP with Steve Benen bluesky link

So if I have this straight: ICE agents wearing masks is fine, but protesters wearing masks should be arrested — even if it’s legal — because Trump issued an online edict?

Seems ... flawed. www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddo...

— Steve Benen (@stevebenen.com) 2025-06-09T15:33:24.969Z

[tanyev]

5. Yep, that's right, Steve.

Laws established in our nation’s founding documents and a couple centuries of criminal code are supposed to be instantly tossed out the window when the Toddler in Chief posts a message on social media expressing his displeasure.