Rep. Jerry Nadler (D., NY) is under fire this week for joining other Democratic members in reckless rhetoric to fuel the growing threats against federal law enforcement officers. Calling out the “fascism in our streets,” Nadler suggested that citizens could be justified in shooting masked agents, a chilling claim made earlier by other Democratic leaders.
The New York Post reported the comments made in a Judiciary Committee hearing. Nadler declared:
“What is really the major problem in this country today is the fascism in our streets. The attacks on American citizens, by masked hoodlums. If you were attacked by a masked person, you might think you were being kidnapped. You’d be justified in shooting the person — to protect yourself.”
The agents are wearing masks because different groups are actively publishing their identities and personal information online. The result has not only been doxxing but threats made against the families of these agents. Democratic politicians have pledged to assist in the effort to “unmask” and publish the identities of these officers as threats soar.
For many, these statements suggest that they have a license under laws like Stand Your Ground to shoot at agents and claim mistaken self-defense. The continued use of such rhetoric in the face of soaring attacks and threats against officers is the worst form of demagoguery.
At the same time, members like Rep. Dan Goldman (D. NY) deny that there is evidence of a sharp increase in attacks despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.
Notably, Nadler and his colleagues pushed for the impeachment of Donald Trump for what they called his inflammatory rhetoric on January 6th despite his call for the protests to remain peaceful.
Other members are engaging in the same hyperbolic rhetoric to appeal to the growing mob on the left. Sen. Chris Murphy (D. Conn.) seems the most unhinged: “What is happening in Minnesota right now is a dystopia. ICE is tear gassing elementary schools. It is disappearing legal residents into cars. It is murdering American citizens.”
Aspiring Democrats are getting the message. Total Wine billionaire David Trone — who is running to recapture his Maryland congressional district from fellow Democrat Rep. April McClain-Delaney, declared this week that the federal government is “literally executing people on the streets” in “not just Minneapolis… all over the United States.”
Ohio Democratic Attorney General candidate Elliot Forhan is running on the catchy pledge that “I will kill Donald Trump.” It is a race to the bottom as Democratic leaders try to take the lead in mob politics.
When combined with the rationalization for the use of lethal force against officers, this rhetoric is not just inflammatory but dangerous. We have heard these voices before in our history. As discussed in Rage and the Republic, we have a rising class of new Jacobins, politicians and pundits who are pandering to the mob. History does not bode well for these politicians seeking to ride the wave of rage when the mob turns against them.
OT but related,
Border Czar Tom Homan: “We currently have an unprecedented number of [Minnesota] counties communicating with us now and allowing ICE to take custody of illegal aliens before they hit the streets.”
Tom Homan: “I have announced effective immediately, we will draw down 700 people effective today. 700 law enforcement personnel.” pic.twitter.com/Vbylc3iIBd
— CSPAN (@cspan) February 4, 2026
So, will Walz, Frey, all the rest tone down the rage rhetoric?
Will the protesters stop their harrassment of LEOs?
Will local MN police departments join ICE agents to ensure their and the public’s safety?
Chad Michael Watts, 45, of Kyle, Texas, was arrested on Tuesday on two counts of assault causing bodily injury to a minor at an anti-ICE protest by high school students.
Videos of the altercation circulated widely on social media, showing a man with a “Make America Great Again” hat attacking a black girl before retreating to a vehicle.
A spokesperson for the Buda Police Department confirmed that the man in the videos was Watts and that he was wearing a MAGA hat.
He is seen pushing and shoving the girl, who appears to be holding a sign. As they move down a slope, the girl appears to fall over and Watts appears to lunge at her. Other students are then seen trying to pull him off her, and one person appears to jump on his back and bring him to his knees. Other students are seen yelling and throwing things at him as he walks back to his vehicle.
The man left before officers arrived on the scene, but was later located and interviewed, police said. Both parties reported minor injuries and declined medical evaluation.
Watts was arrested on Tuesday after further investigation determined he was “the primary aggressor in the physical altercation,” police said.
Basically, this 45 year old MAGA “man” felt the need to assert his “manliness” by attacking a minor, a black girl, at a peaceful protest.
Thankfully, her fellow students came to her rescue and beat the crap out of him before he escaped.
Government Laws are instituted under a commonly accepted understanding and have been written for all to read, have now become emotionally interpreted. The most glaring example which started in San Francisco: Sanctuary City Policy of 1989, meant to protect undocumented immigrants from being reported to federal authorities. Just in that sentence you’ll see that the Law as understood and commonly accepted has been usurped with emotion.
Ai defines undocumented: do not possess valid immigration status or authorization or certain legal protections.
Back to Law: is one law more superior to another, or are the scales of justice prone to lean? Well again, that sentence is self-explanatory, just view the recent history in Minnesota where they say we will not only not assist in legal enforcement, but hinder and assist in emotional resistance to legal enforcement itself.
It has been, and still is, in most quarters, understood that ANY law enforcement officer doing his/her assigned duties has the right for complete control of the encounter, if an officer has issued instructions they must be followed, if not then force may be applied regardless of right or wrong which will be adjudicated under the laws as accepted.
The Democratic Party and its members have turned into a gaggle of blinded dunces sitting in the corner waiting Nirvana all the while only looking to the lefts non-seneschal road map!
Seneschal: magistrate, steward, administrator.
“The only good democrat is a dead democrat” – Retweet by Trump
Yeah the problem is on the left
One of these days, this kind of rage rhetoric is really going to get someone seriously hurt or even killed. Sad part is there will be some who, like when Charlie Kirk was assassinated, will cheer it on.
“One of these days, this kind of rage rhetoric is really going to get someone seriously hurt or even killed.”
It has already happened.
Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
There was no of shortage of “cheering it on”, as you put it, by the MAGA mob.
Talk about complete lack of self-awareness !!!!!
Actually you are correct. The rage rhetoric by Walz and Frey and other Democrats likely influenced Good and Pretti to join ICE Watch, learned how to obstruct, interfere, and resist LEOs from conducting their lawful duties of enforcing immigration law as approved by Congress.
It was tragic and unfortunate but preventable. Had Walz, Frey and others not upped the rage rhetoric, toned things down, Good and Pretti might be alive today. Does not help Good and Pretti obstructed, would not obey lawful orders by LEOs, attempted to evade or resist.
Got a credible source of people cheering it on? I do not recall anyone here doing so.
Speaking of rhetoric, Turley sure seems quick to criticize a statement that has some truth to it but not statements that are completely false when Trump or Republicans say them. Alex Pretti was called a domestic terrorist and an assassin because he legally carried a firearm while observing ICE operations. Noem and Bovino made patently false statements about him while whining about the 8,000,000% increase in violence against ICE agents, because people are noticing that said agents are violent, lawless, and poorly trained idiots doing cruel and unlawful detainments. People are going to be angry. Because of DHS enabling their agents hyper aggressive behavior and lawlessness 50,000 people protested against it. It’s not the protesters that are the problem. It’s ICE, CBP, DEA, and other agencies engaged in these roving patrols and raids.
When they are acting lawlessly and it’s being revealed that they can force their way into homes without a proper warrant. People are going to start claiming they are going to defend themselves against unidentified masked men with guns. It’s DHS that is setting these guys up for a tragedy. It’s just a matter of when it will happen.
Post your proof that agents are “violent, lawless and poorly trained idiots doing cruel and unlawful detainments,” etc. Like most leftists, you are “on holiday from reality.”