Stay Tuned with Preet ICE, Bernie Goetz, and Lessons for Today (with Elliot Williams)
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Jan 22, 2026 Elliot Williams, a lawyer and former ICE Assistant Director for Legislative Affairs, shares his insights on ICE's evolving mission and its implications following a recent shooting incident in Minneapolis. He draws parallels to his book, Five Bullets, discussing the infamous Bernie Goetz subway case and its divisive impact on society. Williams elaborates on leadership failures within ICE, the shift towards workplace audits, and the complexities of public perceptions of vigilante actions, urging a deeper understanding of the narratives that shape our heroes and villains.
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ICE Mission Intact; Oversight Is Not
- Elliot Williams says ICE's mission on paper hasn't changed but oversight and execution have collapsed.
- He argues lack of congressional oversight and politicized directives caused widespread civil-rights violations.
Congress Needs To Reassert Oversight
- Congress must step in to set meaningful limits and oversight on ICE operations.
- Without legislative checks, agencies expand missions beyond capacity and cause rights abuses, Williams warns.
DHS Is Too Big To Be Managed Well
- DHS contains unrelated agencies like the Secret Service and Coast Guard, making it too big to manage well.
- That structural bloat impairs effective leadership and harms ICE's functioning, Williams says.
