President Donald Trump lashed out at two high-profile Democrats over a new piece of legislation on Wednesday.
During a lunch with African leaders on Wednesday, Fox News’ Peter Doocy asked Trump whether he would sign a piece of legislation that would require Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to display identification during immigration actions.
The legislation, introduced by Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), aims to “strengthen oversight, transparency, and accountability” for federal law enforcement’s actions. When asked about the bill, Trump lashed out at both senators and accused them of hating the United States.
“Well, they wouldn’t be saying that if they didn’t hate our country, and they obviously do. I’m surprised that they would do it, knowing a little bit about them, I don’t know them well, but these officers are doing a tremendous job. They’re great patriots,” Trump said.
He suggested that statements about ICE and CBP put those officers in “tremendous danger” and compared their use of masks to protesters wearing masks during demonstrations outside of Harvard University and Columbia University.
”Then it’s sort of funny when people picket in front of Columbia, in front of Harvard, and they have masks on, more than masks. I mean, you can’t see anything. Nobody complains about that,“ Trump said. ”But when a patriot who works for ICE or border patrol puts a mask on so that they won’t recognize him and his family, so they can lead a little bit of a normal life after having worked so hard and so dangerously, there’s a problem with that.’
“This is the problem with the Democrats. They have a lot of bad things going on in their heads. They’ve lost their confidence, number one. And they’re really, they become somewhat deranged. I want to do whatever is necessary to protect our great law enforcement people,” he added.
The VISIBLE Act would require immigration enforcement officers “to display clearly legible identification, including their agency name or initials and either their name or badge number, in a manner that remains visible and unobscured by tactical gear or clothing,” according to a press release.
Immigration enforcement officers have faced scrutiny in recent weeks over wearing face masks during immigration arrests or raids. Booker said in a statement that his legislation was “a necessary response grounded in law enforcement best practices.”
“For weeks, Americans have watched federal agents with no visible identification detain people off the streets and instill fear in communities across the country,” Booker said in a statement.
“Reports of individuals impersonating ICE officers have only increased the risk to public and officer safety. The lack of visible identification and uniform standards for immigration enforcement officers has created confusion, stoked fear, and undermined public trust in law enforcement,” he added.
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