The Brian Lehrer Show Why Masking ICE Agents Matters
Feb 4, 2026
Adam Serwer, staff writer at The Atlantic and author on politics, race, and civil liberties, argues that masked ICE agents erode accountability. He discusses how anonymity enables abuse and impersonation, why doxing is not a valid defense, and how masked deployments affect communities, democratic norms, and racialized state power.
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Accountability Limits Abuse Of Force
- Law enforcement granted power over life and death must remain publicly accountable to prevent abuse.
- Adam Serwer argues anonymity plus immunity invites unconstitutional conduct by agencies like ICE and CBP.
Masks Facilitate Lawless Behavior
- Masks let agents act without fear of identification, making unconstitutional acts easier.
- Serwer compares masked agents to criminals who hide their faces to avoid being caught.
Impersonation Risk From Unidentified Officers
- The absence of identifying information makes impersonation and violence easier.
- Serwer cites killings by someone impersonating an officer and warns masks invite criminal exploitation.
