After getting a tongue-lashing from a Democratic lawmaker on Tuesday, the acting director of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency made no effort to endorse the stewardship of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem when given an opportunity.
Appearing at a House Oversight Committee hearing that was nationally televised, Todd Lyons was grilled by Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-NY) about the deaths of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti at the hands of DHS agents, which then led the Democratic lawmaker to state, “In America, we shouldn't have secret police. We shouldn't have masked government agents executing citizens in the streets. The Constitution does not give your agency the right to hide their faces while they kill Americans.”
“Will you commit yes or no to immediately unmasking every agent, conducting immigration enforcement and requiring them to wear standard uniforms with identifiable badges?” he pressed.
“No,” Lyons shot back.
Well, that's a sad response,” Kennedy lectured. “Your answer is completely unacceptable. People who are proud of what they do aren't hiding their identity. We're a nation of laws. And you, your boss, Secretary Noem and Donald Trump are not above the law.”
Pressing the ICE official further, Kennedy asked, “The American people are angry, and they're demanding accountability and justice from those giving the orders. Mr. Lyons, yes or no? Do you believe that Secretary Noem should resign?”‘
I'm not going to comment on that, sir,” Lyons replied.
"Sir, you're going to look the families of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti in the eye and tell them Secretary Noem should keep her job after their loved ones were killed?” the lawmaker insisted.
Lyons refused to endorse the embattled Noem and instead offered, ”Sir, the loss of any life is unacceptable. And the heart, my heart, prayers and thoughts go out to anyone who tragically loses his life, especially a child since I suffered personal loss in my life. But I'm not going to comment on an on-going investigation.”
"Well, Mr. Lyons, the American people are watching your unwillingness to demand accountability from your own leadership speaks volumes to American citizens,” Kennedy replied as his time ran out.
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