The Bulwark Podcast Mark Hertling: The Cowards of ICE
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Jan 14, 2026 
Retired U.S. Army Lieutenant General Mark Hertling critiques the intimidation tactics of masked ICE agents, comparing them to Iraqi police. He emphasizes how accountability builds trust and public pride. The discussion also covers the consequences of Russia's winter strikes on Ukraine and the impracticality of military action in Iran. Hertling raises concerns about Trump's misrepresentation of ongoing conflicts and the political pressures military personnel face when speaking out. His insights reveal a complex interplay between diplomacy, military action, and international stability.
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Masks Erode Legitimacy Of Security Forces
- Mark Hertling argues masked ICE agents are using anonymity to intimidate and violate constitutional protest rights.
- He compares them to early Iraqi police who shed masks as they gained legitimacy, calling current agents "thugs" and "cowards."
Iraqi Police Removed Masks As Trust Grew
- Hertling recounts Iraqi police removing masks as they gained pride and public trust during 2003–2008 deployments.
- He used joint operations and a billboard campaign as examples of building legitimacy through visibility.
Provocation Can Be Weaponized Politically
- Hertling warns provocative enforcement can provoke street backlash that leaders may exploit to justify emergency powers.
- He fears agents want a "pushback" that could enable invocation of the Insurrection Act.
