Democrats Demand Unmasked Agents, New Limits to Fund D.H.S.

[dalton99a]

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/us/politics/ice-body-cam-masks-dhs-funding.html

https://archive.ph/3yQxR

Democrats Demand Unmasked Agents, New Limits to Fund D.H.S.
Ahead of a Friday shutdown deadline, Democrats laid out their conditions for funding the Department of Homeland Security, including new restrictions on immigration officers.
By Carl Hulse and Catie Edmondson
Jan. 28, 2026, 7:26 p.m. ET

Senate Democrats on Wednesday demanded that federal agents carrying out President Trump’s immigration crackdown take off their masks and stop warrantless searches and arrests, laying out a list of conditions they said must be attached to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security ahead of a Friday shutdown deadline.

In the aftermath of two fatal shootings of U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis, Senator Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York and the minority leader, presented Republicans with a specific proposal that Democrats said they would insist on in exchange for their votes.

In addition to a prohibition on federal officers wearing masks, they also demanded that the agents wear body cameras and carry identification. Their proposal would put an end to roving patrols and require warrants issued by a judge for arrests and searches.

Democrats also want the federal agents to be subject to the same use-of-force policies that apply to local and state law enforcement agencies, which require those involved in violent incidents to be subject to independent investigations if they are accused of wrongdoing.

...

[leftstreet]

1. Demand all this WITHOUT giving them $$

There's no mechanism for enforcement here

[W_HAMILTON]

10. There's no mechanism for any enforcement as long as fascists are in our White House.

I sure wish people understood this before thinking it would be no big deal to let Trump and his MAGA Republicans take over.

Those that would have actual mechanisms for enforcement are all housed under the Executive Branch, which is firmly controlled by Trump and his fellow fascists. They already don't obey the law, they already ignore court orders, and there is no one that is going to force them to do otherwise until Trump is voted out of office and they have to answer to someone else.

[FiveFifteen]

2. Don't Back Down

Enough of performative bullshit.

[msongs]

3. ditch the GI Joe costumes and mega guns. not needed. oh, and follow due process nt

[awesomerwb1]

4. Can someone clarify

I.CE will get the same insane amount of money if these demands are met?

[leftstreet]

5. Yes, looks like it n/t

[Scrivener7]

12. Yep. And that's BEFORE negotiation.

[pat_k]

6. Saying "stop warrantless searches and arrests" is just saying "stop breaking the law."

How have we allowed our lawmakers to be reduced to begging criminals to stop breaking the law??

[luv2fly]

7. I'm sure "demanding" it will be a successful strategy

Even if the R's agree, the thugs won't comply and nothing will be done about it.

One might suspect it is a waste of time, noble as it may appear.

[BlueSpot]

8. Name the murderers. Stop protecting them.

That needs to be part of the deal too. They need to be prosecuted for what they have done. No more free murder porn. This shit needs to end.

[Enter stage left]

9. You are forgetting the most important part, put really NASTY penalties on non compliance...

Such as TOTAL LOSS OF IMMUNITY, IF YOUR BODY CAMERA FAILS YOU WILL SPEND AT LEAST 2 YEARS IN STATE PRISON (SO TSF can't pardon you) and if you fail to identify with your full name, who you are working for, and your badge number, at least 2 YEARS IN THAT STATES PRISON, WITH NO TIME OFF FOR ANY REASON!

The biggest problem we have is we pass laws and don't specify the penalties. Let them know up front, FAFO, pay THIS penalty!

[Scrivener7]

11. Nothing about removing ICE agents with criminal records, agents who took part in the

January 6 riots, agents who cannot read at an 8th grade level, agents who have social media full of violent right-wing rhetoric.

[angrychair]

13. Unacceptable

Sorry, hard red line for me that I will not compromise on for any reason. Unequivocal, uncompromising redline that there should NEVER BE ANOTHER DIME SPENT ON ICE. EVER.

Any politician that says ANYTHING other than "abolish ICE" will not get my vote.
Criticize me or attack me. I don't care. We cannot reform this. We cannot allow police or our government to continue to brutalize Black and brown people and say and do nothing.

This is the hill I'm on and I'm not coming off it for anyone or anything.

ABOLISH ICE.