Conservative Torches ICE Chief's ‘Pathetic' Excuse for Agents Wearing Masks
Conservative commentator and longtime political strategist Bill Kristol blasted Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for wearing masks during recent operations, calling the practice a tool of fear—not protection.
Appearing on CNN's NewsNight on Monday, Kristol—who has often decried the values of the Republican Party since its MAGA makeover—dismissed ICE's justification for the face coverings, slamming the practice as 'ridiculous' and 'pathetic.'
'I mean, it's pathetic to pretend that, 'Oh, we're so concerned about their safety, they have to wear masks,'' Kristol, editor at large at The Bulwark and co-founder of the anti-Trump nonprofit Defending Democracy Together, said.
Kristol, who also served as former chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle under President George H.W. Bush, added: 'I grew up in New York City—40,000 cops, extremely dangerous circumstances. None of them were masked except in extremely rare occasions when they were going after some gang leader who might have relatives who go after them. ICE agents have functioned in this country. They didn't wear masks. They shouldn't wear masks.
'It's total nonsense, and it's for intimidation. It's not really for their protection. It's ridiculous.'
Kristol's comments come amid growing scrutiny of ICE's enforcement tactics, particularly the use of face coverings that obscure agents' identities during arrests.
Critics argue that such anonymity undermines accountability and fosters fear within immigrant communities.
Tim Walz, governor of Minnesota and Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 presidential election, even likened the agency's officers to Gestapo agents.
Dan Goldman, a Democrat who represents New York's 10th Congressional District, also called the masked raids 'Gestapo-like behavior.'
The Gestapo, short for Geheime Staatspolizei or 'Secret State Police,' served as Nazi Germany's notorious internal security force and routinely detained individuals without charge.
ICE Director Todd Lyons defended the policy, citing officer safety in the wake of public anger over a May 30 raid at Buona Forchetta, a family-owned Italian restaurant in San Diego's South Park neighborhood.
'I'm not going to let my officers and agents go out there and put their lives on the line, their family on the line because people don't like what immigration enforcement is,' he said.
Witnesses said about 30 masked agents stormed the restaurant, cuffing workers indiscriminately. 'They took people,' one tearful employee told local news. 'They took some of our employees. There was no stopping them.'
The raid sparked instant community outrage. Neighbors flooded the scene chanting, 'Shame! Shame! ICE out!' One bystander told NBC7: 'The entire community was disgusted, infuriated and enraged. They don't want people in military tactical gear playing soldier, playing like they are in Afghanistan, coming in here and just screwing with people on a nice Friday afternoon.'
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