Commentary: Federal authorities deserve to do their jobs safely. It starts with removing the masks

""This political violence is not a series of isolated incidents and does not emerge organically," Trump wrote in a new executive order. "A new law enforcement strategy that investigates all participants in these criminal and terroristic conspiracies - including the organized structures, networks, entities, organizations, funding sources, and predicate actions behind them - is required.""

"The deadly shooting in Dallas this week, which Trump referred to in the order, is a tragedy and any political violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the many laws on the books that protect our public servants, and the public at large. But criticizing government overreach is not inciting violence, and calls for Democrats to stop attacking Trump's policies are just calls to silence dissent - one more attack on free speech at a moment when it's clear this administration is intent on demolishing opposition."

"If we are serious about preventing further political violence, trust in our justice system must be a priority. And you know what's really eroding trust? Scary masked agents on our streets who refuse to even say what agency they work for. In recent days, about 6,700 federal workers from agencies outside of ICE have been pulled into its immigration mission, according to the non-partisan Niskanen Center. The anxiety brought on by an unaccountable and unknowable federal force, one that is expected to grow by thousands in coming years, is what is raising the temperature in American politics far more"

President Trump characterizes political violence as coordinated and calls for a law-enforcement strategy to investigate participants, networks, funding sources, and predicate actions. Politically motivated violence against law enforcement and civilians is condemned and should be prosecuted under existing laws. Criticism of government overreach is distinct from incitement, and labeling dissent as violence threatens free speech. The deployment of unmarked, masked federal agents and the reassignment of thousands of non-ICE federal workers to immigration enforcement undermine trust in the justice system. Growing anxiety about an unaccountable federal force is increasing political tensions and demands transparency and accountability.

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