Written by Mathew Silverman, National President of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association and member of the Law Enforcement Today Board of Advisors.
Washington, D.C. — As violent unrest continues to unfold across Los Angeles, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) stands in full support of our brave Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and officers, who are operating under extreme conditions to restore peace and uphold the rule of law.
ICE leadership has shown commendable courage and solidarity during this crisis. Director Todd Lyons and Deputy Director Madison Sheahan traveled directly to the front lines — not to observe from afar, but to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the agents and officers risking their lives to protect our communities. Their example is a powerful reminder of what true leadership looks like.
These federal agent and officers are doing more than enforcing immigration laws—they are holding the line against lawlessness and chaos. They are under attack not only physically, but personally, as online threats, doxing campaigns, and real-world violence target them and their families.
Most ICE agents and officers enforce the laws professionally and humanly, but are forced to wear masks not for intimidation, but to protect their identities and their families’ safety. These men and women often serve in sensitive, and often covert, roles.
To force them to unmask is to expose them to unacceptable risks and jeopardize their criminal investigation through public exposure.
This starkly contrasts with the violent agitators who cover their faces to evade justice. The American public should take notice: our officers wear masks to serve; rioters wear them to destroy.
The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, recently delivered a powerful and necessary message: “If you assault a law enforcement officer, you’re going to jail—period.” This clear and unequivocal stance reflects the type of leadership our nation needs at this critical moment.
The men and women who serve in law enforcement deserve to know they are supported, and that those who target them will face serious consequences.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an alarming increase in assaults against law enforcement officers.
Unfortunately, lenient policies, soft-on-crime prosecutors, and a lack of support from previous leadership allowed this dangerous trend to escalate. But the tide is turning. Americans are demanding accountability, and the message is being heard.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has echoed this sentiment, stating that violent criminals will be charged, prosecuted, and sent to jail. There is no place in our society for lawlessness or the notion that anyone is above the law. The days of warnings and light sentences for those who assault officers or wreak havoc in our communities are over.
We are also seeing important changes at the state and local level. Across the country, voters are replacing progressive prosecutors with leaders committed to public safety. One notable example is Nathan Hochman’s victory over George Gascón in Los Angeles County—a clear sign that the public wants prosecutors who prioritize victims, not criminals.
When it comes to crime, safety often matters more than political ideology.
Encouragingly, crime rates in many major cities are now trending downward. This is no coincidence. A renewed commitment to enforcing the law, securing our borders, and empowering law enforcement is making a difference. But we must stay the course.
On behalf of FLEOA’s thousands of members, I want to express sincere appreciation to President Trump and his administration for answering the call to send vital federal support to our ICE brother and sister in Los Angeles. The deployment of the National Guard and the administration’s steadfast commitment to law and order have not gone unnoticed.
Our agents and officers need to know that they are not alone—and this administration has made it clear those who defend our nation will not be left behind.
Still, the challenges our ICE agents and officers face are not limited to the streets. Many continue to work under unjust conditions — balancing immigration enforcement with riot response, logging ever-longer hours, and facing dangerous missions, all while burdened by outdated federal pay caps.
These caps prevent field agents from being fully compensated for the work they perform, even as they sacrifice their safety and well-being for the public good. In addition, in the an high cost of living areas such as Los Angeles, pay compression has led to those who’ve accepted leadership roles earning little to no additional compensation over those they lead.
No private-sector employer in America could legally require employees to work beyond their compensation limits—yet federal law enforcement are expected to do just that. It is unacceptable and unjust.
FLEOA calls on the administration and Congress to take immediate action to lift the federal pay cap for law enforcement officers.
Some specific laws FLEOA has been working on include: the Law Enforcement Officer Equity Act, Law Enforcement Fair Retirement Act, Expanding the Overtime Tax Relief to specifically include Federal Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement Availability Pay.
This is not only an issue of fairness — it is a matter of national security, workforce retention, future recruitment and respect for those who choose to serve. We cannot afford to lose experienced professionals or fail to recruit the best candidates to staff the next generation of agents due to systemic neglect.
Our ICE agents and officers are standing tall in the face of danger. They deserve more than praise — they deserve action.
As we continue to move forward, let us focus on building trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Public safety and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive—they must go hand in hand. It’s time to close the divide and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice, accountability, and respect.
We stand united in this mission.
Mathew Silverman
National President
Federal Law Enforcement Officer's Association (FLEOA)
Washington, D.C. — As violent unrest continues to unfold across Los Angeles, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) stands in full support of our brave Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent and officers, who are operating under extreme conditions to restore peace and uphold the rule of law.
ICE leadership has shown commendable courage and solidarity during this crisis. Director Todd Lyons and Deputy Director Madison Sheahan traveled directly to the front lines — not to observe from afar, but to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the agents and officers risking their lives to protect our communities. Their example is a powerful reminder of what true leadership looks like.
These federal agent and officers are doing more than enforcing immigration laws—they are holding the line against lawlessness and chaos. They are under attack not only physically, but personally, as online threats, doxing campaigns, and real-world violence target them and their families.
Most ICE agents and officers enforce the laws professionally and humanly, but are forced to wear masks not for intimidation, but to protect their identities and their families’ safety. These men and women often serve in sensitive, and often covert, roles.
To force them to unmask is to expose them to unacceptable risks and jeopardize their criminal investigation through public exposure.
This starkly contrasts with the violent agitators who cover their faces to evade justice. The American public should take notice: our officers wear masks to serve; rioters wear them to destroy.
The Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Kash Patel, recently delivered a powerful and necessary message: “If you assault a law enforcement officer, you’re going to jail—period.” This clear and unequivocal stance reflects the type of leadership our nation needs at this critical moment.
The men and women who serve in law enforcement deserve to know they are supported, and that those who target them will face serious consequences.
Over the past few years, we’ve seen an alarming increase in assaults against law enforcement officers.
Unfortunately, lenient policies, soft-on-crime prosecutors, and a lack of support from previous leadership allowed this dangerous trend to escalate. But the tide is turning. Americans are demanding accountability, and the message is being heard.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has echoed this sentiment, stating that violent criminals will be charged, prosecuted, and sent to jail. There is no place in our society for lawlessness or the notion that anyone is above the law. The days of warnings and light sentences for those who assault officers or wreak havoc in our communities are over.
We are also seeing important changes at the state and local level. Across the country, voters are replacing progressive prosecutors with leaders committed to public safety. One notable example is Nathan Hochman’s victory over George Gascón in Los Angeles County—a clear sign that the public wants prosecutors who prioritize victims, not criminals.
When it comes to crime, safety often matters more than political ideology.
Encouragingly, crime rates in many major cities are now trending downward. This is no coincidence. A renewed commitment to enforcing the law, securing our borders, and empowering law enforcement is making a difference. But we must stay the course.
On behalf of FLEOA’s thousands of members, I want to express sincere appreciation to President Trump and his administration for answering the call to send vital federal support to our ICE brother and sister in Los Angeles. The deployment of the National Guard and the administration’s steadfast commitment to law and order have not gone unnoticed.
Our agents and officers need to know that they are not alone—and this administration has made it clear those who defend our nation will not be left behind.
Still, the challenges our ICE agents and officers face are not limited to the streets. Many continue to work under unjust conditions — balancing immigration enforcement with riot response, logging ever-longer hours, and facing dangerous missions, all while burdened by outdated federal pay caps.
These caps prevent field agents from being fully compensated for the work they perform, even as they sacrifice their safety and well-being for the public good. In addition, in the an high cost of living areas such as Los Angeles, pay compression has led to those who’ve accepted leadership roles earning little to no additional compensation over those they lead.
No private-sector employer in America could legally require employees to work beyond their compensation limits—yet federal law enforcement are expected to do just that. It is unacceptable and unjust.
FLEOA calls on the administration and Congress to take immediate action to lift the federal pay cap for law enforcement officers.
Some specific laws FLEOA has been working on include: the Law Enforcement Officer Equity Act, Law Enforcement Fair Retirement Act, Expanding the Overtime Tax Relief to specifically include Federal Law Enforcement and Law Enforcement Availability Pay.
This is not only an issue of fairness — it is a matter of national security, workforce retention, future recruitment and respect for those who choose to serve. We cannot afford to lose experienced professionals or fail to recruit the best candidates to staff the next generation of agents due to systemic neglect.
Our ICE agents and officers are standing tall in the face of danger. They deserve more than praise — they deserve action.
As we continue to move forward, let us focus on building trust between law enforcement and the communities we serve. Public safety and civil liberties are not mutually exclusive—they must go hand in hand. It’s time to close the divide and reaffirm our shared commitment to justice, accountability, and respect.
We stand united in this mission.
Mathew Silverman
National President
Federal Law Enforcement Officer's Association (FLEOA)
For corrections or revisions, click here.
The opinions reflected in this article are not necessarily the opinions of LET
Comments
2025-06-12T18:56-0400 | Comment by: Steve
All LAW ENFORCEMENT nationwide should stop eating at Mexican and other foreign restaurants. ACTUALLY all Americans should stop eating at foreign restaurants.