WE ARE TIRED OF BEING LIED TO

WE ARE TIRED OF BEING LIED TO

The party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.
— George Orwell, 1984

We are tired of being lied to, and we have video proof. The Trump administration has made false claims about three fatal shootings by federal agents in the past month. In each case, video evidence directly contradicts the official story. When the government lies about using force against American citizens and then obstructs an investigation, every constitutional protection we have is at risk.

The Pattern: Shoot, Lie, Obstruct

Three U.S. citizens have been shot and killed by federal immigration agents in the past month. In each case, the Department of Homeland Security’s official account was contradicted by video:

  • Alex Pretti (January 24, Minneapolis): DHS claimed he brandished a weapon at agents. The video shows he was filming with his phone. Video appears to show an agent removing Pretti’s lawful firearm before another agent shot him in the back.
  • Renee Good (January 7, Minneapolis): DHS claimed she tried to run over an agent. Independent 3D video analysis shows the agent was not in the vehicle’s path when he fired three shots into her car, killing the 37-year-old mother.
  • Keith Porter Jr. (December 31, Los Angeles): DHS characterized this as an “active shooter situation” where an off-duty agent “bravely protected his community.” Evidence indicates Porter was firing celebratory shots when confronted by an off-duty agent not in uniform.

In each case, federal officials obstructed state and local law enforcement from investigating, even after judges issued search warrants.

Secretary Noem Must Be Held Accountable

Secretary Kristi Noem has personally defended each shooting with claims contradicted by video evidence. She has characterized American citizens exercising First Amendment rights as “domestic terrorists.” She has obstructed state and local investigations. And her department has refused to release information about deaths in custody, leaving families without answers and the public without accountability.The House of Representatives has a constitutional duty to conduct oversight. We call on House Democrats and also any House Republicans who still believe in constitutional governance to begin impeachment proceedings against Secretary Kristi Noem for obstruction of justice, violation of civil rights, and dereliction of duty.

Senate Democrats: Do Not Fund This Violence

Government funding expires at the end of this week. Senate Republicans need Democratic votes to pass their funding package and it’s a package that includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Both of our Senators announced over the weekend that they will vote against a funding bill this week that would allocate more funds to ICE, with Senator Ossoff demanding that Americans’ civil liberties be protected and Senator Warnock calling “for all people of moral courage to stand up and say no.”

Secretary Noem runs DHS with zero accountability. Every dollar Democrats vote to give her department enables more violence, more lies, and more obstruction. If Republicans want to shut down the government rather than accept accountability measures for DHS, let them explain that to voters.

It’s that simple.

What Can We Do Right Now

Federal (This Week – URGENT):

  • Call Senators Ossoff and Warnock: Tell them to vote NO on any government funding bill that funds DHS without accountability measures. Say: “No accountability, no funding.”
  • Call your House representative: Demand hearings on Secretary Noem’s false statements and obstruction of investigations
  • Demand DHS release all information about deaths in ICE custody
  • Share this statement widely and ask others to call their Senators

State (This Month):

  • Contact your state legislators: Support legislation prohibiting ICE courthouse arrests without judicial warrants
  • Demand the state file suit challenging federal obstruction of state criminal investigations

Local (Now):

  • Work with your county sheriff and commissioners to prohibit local police from assisting ICE operations
  • Attend Know Your Rights trainings from experienced community organizations
  • Document federal operations as a legal observer. Your phone is your most powerful accountability tool

The Bottom Line

We know what we see. We know when we’re being lied to. A federal agency that lies about killing citizens, obstructs investigation, and operates without accountability is incompatible with constitutional democracy.

The administration counts on our compliance and our silence. They will get neither. We must demand accountability through every channel available — congressional oversight, budget leverage, state and local resistance, and sustained community organizing.

Senate Democrats have power this week. They must use it. And we must make sure they know we’re watching.

Join us in this fight. Democracy depends on it.