Senator Mike Lee Removes Controversial Tweet on Masked Federal Agents
Senator Mike Lee, a Republican from Utah and staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, deleted a tweet on Monday that attempted to defend the use of masks by federal agents. The post, originally shared on Sunday, featured a video of armed Mexican cartel members setting fire to a gas station, with at least one individual wearing a full head mask. Lee used this imagery to draw comparisons to the widely criticized masks worn by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agents during raids targeting migrants.
Backlash from Senate Colleagues
Lee's tweet quickly drew sharp criticism from fellow senators, who argued that his logic backfired. Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, responded by stating, "Oh dear Mike. I literally couldn't make our argument better than you do. The bad guys wear masks. The good guys don't." Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, echoed this sentiment on X, writing, "Yes. Cartel hitmen wear masks. That's why ICE shouldn't." Senator Brian Schatz, a Democrat from Hawaii, added, "Mike, I would like ICE to have the same standards as a local police department, not cartel hitmen."
Widespread Criticism on Social Media
The controversy extended beyond the Senate, with numerous social media users and commentators firing back at Lee's comparison. Responses highlighted the irony of his argument, with one user noting, "ICE is a violent cartel' is something the left and right can both agree on," while another remarked, "Yeah maybe our government shouldn't act like cartels." Critics pointed out that drawing parallels between federal agents and criminal organizations does not justify the agents' actions, with one stating, "Senator Lee, observing parallels between federal agents and cartel members does not make federal agents seem like good guys."
History of Deleted Posts
This is not the first time Lee has removed controversial social media content. Last year, he deleted a series of messages about a double homicide in Minnesota, though he did not provide an explanation for removing the mask post. The deletion came after the tweet failed to make its intended point, instead fueling debate over the conduct of federal law enforcement. As one observer commented, "Mike Lee comparing the mask wearing of ICE and the Cartel was not quite the slam dunk he thought it would be."
The incident underscores ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement and the use of masks by federal agents, with Lee's attempt at defense sparking broader discussions about accountability and standards in law enforcement.
