By Mathew Silverman, National President, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association
A Note from LET's Owner, Kyle Reyes: This editorial by Mr. Silverman is substantially more tame than we would have been. In our opinion, Eric Swalwell is a treasonous excuse for a Congressman and should resign in disgrace. We look forward to the fraud accusations made against him playing out in the form of a national and very public investigation.
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I want to begin by offering some context. I am a law enforcement professional with 25 years of experience, and I have never been involved in a use-of-force incident. I share that not to elevate my perspective above others, but because I believe experience matters, particularly during moments when public trust in law enforcement is strained and emotions understandably run high.
I recently watched Congressman Eric Swalwell’s remarks during a hearing regarding the Minneapolis incident involving ICE agents and Renee Good. While the incident itself is undeniably tragic, I was concerned that the discussion focused more on emotionally charged details than on a careful examination of the circumstances officers faced in real time.
Much attention was placed on Ms. Good’s role as a mother, the presence of personal items in her vehicle, and the fact that no weapons were later found. These details are deeply human and heartbreaking. At the same time, they were not known to the officers at the moment they were attempting to carry out their lawful duties. In that moment, officers were confronting a situation that had become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous.
What does not appear to be in dispute is that Ms. Good had followed ICE agents for an extended period, interfered with their operations, deliberately blocked their vehicle, and fled after officers issued lawful commands. These actions were not inadvertent, and they significantly escalated the situation.
Acknowledging this does not diminish the loss of life or the pain suffered by her family, particularly her child. It does, however, matter when we seek an honest understanding of how events unfolded and how responsibility is assessed. The agent involved was required to make a split-second decision under intense pressure, one that will weigh on him for the rest of his life.
Congressman Swalwell and I have known one another for many years, dating back to his time working in Maryland. While I respect the importance of oversight and accountability, I believe it is essential that criticism of law enforcement be grounded in facts and delivered with care. Language that broadly characterizes federal officers in demeaning terms such as referring to them as “masked thugs” is offensive to the law enforcement profession and risks further eroding trust and obscuring the realities of the job they are asked to perform. In some instances, these distasteful comments can get folks hurt or killed.
What is especially troubling is the tendency to draw firm conclusions before investigations are complete. Experience has shown that initial narratives often evolve as more information becomes available. Allowing that process to unfold is not a defense of misconduct; it is a commitment to fairness.
This was a terrible outcome by any measure. A life was lost, a child lost a parent, and an agent will carry the weight of this incident indefinitely. What makes it even more tragic is that it was preventable.
If individuals believe their rights have been violated, there are lawful avenues to pursue accountability. Ignoring lawful commands, interfering with active law enforcement operations, and inserting oneself into volatile situations greatly increases the risk of irreversible consequences.
This did not have to end this way.
A Note from LET's Owner, Kyle Reyes: This editorial by Mr. Silverman is substantially more tame than we would have been. In our opinion, Eric Swalwell is a treasonous excuse for a Congressman and should resign in disgrace. We look forward to the fraud accusations made against him playing out in the form of a national and very public investigation.
--
I want to begin by offering some context. I am a law enforcement professional with 25 years of experience, and I have never been involved in a use-of-force incident. I share that not to elevate my perspective above others, but because I believe experience matters, particularly during moments when public trust in law enforcement is strained and emotions understandably run high.
I recently watched Congressman Eric Swalwell’s remarks during a hearing regarding the Minneapolis incident involving ICE agents and Renee Good. While the incident itself is undeniably tragic, I was concerned that the discussion focused more on emotionally charged details than on a careful examination of the circumstances officers faced in real time.
Much attention was placed on Ms. Good’s role as a mother, the presence of personal items in her vehicle, and the fact that no weapons were later found. These details are deeply human and heartbreaking. At the same time, they were not known to the officers at the moment they were attempting to carry out their lawful duties. In that moment, officers were confronting a situation that had become increasingly unpredictable and dangerous.
What does not appear to be in dispute is that Ms. Good had followed ICE agents for an extended period, interfered with their operations, deliberately blocked their vehicle, and fled after officers issued lawful commands. These actions were not inadvertent, and they significantly escalated the situation.
Acknowledging this does not diminish the loss of life or the pain suffered by her family, particularly her child. It does, however, matter when we seek an honest understanding of how events unfolded and how responsibility is assessed. The agent involved was required to make a split-second decision under intense pressure, one that will weigh on him for the rest of his life.
Congressman Swalwell and I have known one another for many years, dating back to his time working in Maryland. While I respect the importance of oversight and accountability, I believe it is essential that criticism of law enforcement be grounded in facts and delivered with care. Language that broadly characterizes federal officers in demeaning terms such as referring to them as “masked thugs” is offensive to the law enforcement profession and risks further eroding trust and obscuring the realities of the job they are asked to perform. In some instances, these distasteful comments can get folks hurt or killed.
What is especially troubling is the tendency to draw firm conclusions before investigations are complete. Experience has shown that initial narratives often evolve as more information becomes available. Allowing that process to unfold is not a defense of misconduct; it is a commitment to fairness.
This was a terrible outcome by any measure. A life was lost, a child lost a parent, and an agent will carry the weight of this incident indefinitely. What makes it even more tragic is that it was preventable.
If individuals believe their rights have been violated, there are lawful avenues to pursue accountability. Ignoring lawful commands, interfering with active law enforcement operations, and inserting oneself into volatile situations greatly increases the risk of irreversible consequences.
This did not have to end this way.
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