WASHINGTON, DC – At an oversight hearing, U.S. Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, pressed officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) about the violent, excessive, and unconstitutional actions that have been carried out by federal law enforcement officers in communities across the country. The hearing featured testimony from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner (CBP) Rodney Scott and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Director Todd Lyons, as well as state officials from Minnesota, to discuss Operation Metro Surge and the excessive use of force by CBP and ICE agents against U.S. citizens in American communities.
During the hearing, Peters pressed Scott and Lyons about the conduct of CBP and ICE officers and whether current operations are in line with DHS’ policies regarding de-escalation and the use of force. Peters also underscored how DHS’s false narratives about Renee Good and Alex Pretti have shattered public trust and made the case for Congress to pass much needed reforms, including requiring clear identification of federal officers and restricting the use of masks. When pressed during questioning, Commissioner Scott and Acting Director Lyons indicated they are open to such reforms.
“In communities across the country, Americans have seen – on video and with their own eyes – as law enforcement officers from the Department of Homeland Security have tackled and beaten U.S. citizens in the streets, as they’ve broken windows and yanked U.S. citizens from their cars, as they’ve pepper sprayed them in the face at point blank, and as they shot and killed two U.S. citizens – Renee Good and Alex Pretti – who were exercising their First Amendment rights. And in Mr. Pretti’s case, his Second Amendment right too,” said Peters in his opening statement.
Peters continued: “While all Americans agree that we should remove violent criminals who pose a threat to public safety as a part of immigration enforcement, most Americans also overwhelmingly agree that the Administration’s violent and heavy-handed tactics are an abuse of power, and they must be reined in.”
“Today’s hearing comes at a critical time as Congress has the chance to put needed reforms in place and hold DHS law enforcement officers, and the officials who supervise them, accountable,” continued Peters. “I believe that every federal law enforcement officer has a responsibility to conduct their work in a professional manner and in accordance with the law. And I believe that when they don’t, whether it is an individual officer or a high-ranking official from the Department of Homeland Security, they must be held accountable for their actions.”
To watch video of Senator Peters’ opening remarks, click here. For text of Peters’ opening remarks as prepared, click here.
To watch video of Senator Peters’ and Senator Paul’s joint questioning of officials over the shooting of Alex Pretti, click here.
To watch video of Senator Peters’ questions, click here.
The hearing followed Peters’ calls for bipartisan oversight following the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of federal law enforcement. Peters and his Democratic committee colleagues have also called on Secretary Kristi Noem to testify before the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Peters reiterated the need for Secretary Noem to testify at today’s hearing.
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