Letter to the Editor

Dear Editor, 

Lawler, in an effort to distance himself from the executions on the streets of Minneapolis by federal agents, has written an OP Ed in the NY Times. I have to comment and clarify what I see as disinformation in Lawler piece.

Lawler’s article states “The shootings show that what the country has been doing is not working.” I think it’s important to understand ICE has functioned peacefully with a well-trained force since 2002. While there have been some issues since 2002, none of them have come close to how ICE has disregarded the rule of law since Lawler and Trump came into their new term in 2024. During past administrations DHS and ICE have successfully apprehended criminal aliens without assaulting and killing American citizens. To now say Lawler/Trump want to fix what they broke is a common theme as they deal with fallout from their mismanagement of DHS as well as other departments.

Lawler voted in favor of the explosive increase in DHS, ICE and Border Patrol funding in the Trump “Big Beautiful Bill” leaning on their rhetoric repeatedly branding immigrants as murderers, rapists and child molesters to demonize this sector of our population. Lawler and Trump have convinced a large portion of voters to fear and hate all immigrants through their rhetoric. 

Lawler and Trump blame President Biden, as well as state and local governments because they “offer shelter and benefits” to immigrants and will not cooperate with federal officials. The administration and Lawler created and funded this force that committed and continues to commit these assaults and murders of American citizens on American soil; even suggesting they want to send in the military to fight all Democrats that they label as the violent left. 

It is obvious the federal agents in DHS, ICE and Border Patrol are inciting the violence, not these citizens expressing their voices through protest.  

Lawer now calls for changes to the immigration system conveniently forgetting the 2024 bipartisan immigration plan that addressed the issues he is now raising to distance himself from MAGA movement he is part of. The 2024 bill, when President Biden was still in office, was on the way to approval before Trump became involved and pressured Republicans  to kill the bill so he could keep campaigning on the issue, demonizing immigrants along the way.

Lawler will campaign on the Democrats wanting to abolish ICE, similarly to the way he did with his opponent Jones in the last election about defunding law enforcement – don’t fall for it. The Democratic candidates for the 17th district want law and order as much as any Republican. They will have their own proposals to solve the problem. Please hear them out. Vote with the true facts. Lawler supported this escalation in immigration enforcement, and  you and I are now faced with the horror of the violent outcome from the mismanagement of DHS, ICE and Border Patrol he voted for and is a part of.

Patrick Morrissey

Resident of District 17