Washington, D.C.
Repeated lethal use of force by federal agents inside American communities is not an isolated local tragedy. It is a profound national security failure that systemically erodes state legitimacy, dangerously escalates domestic instability and shatters public trust in lawful authority.
One incident can be tragic; a rapid succession of fatal encounters is undeniable proof of a systemic failure. This pattern suggests deep-rooted, structural risk, not merely a series of individual errors.
In democratic societies, the legitimate use of force is non-negotiable and rests entirely on public trust, clear lines of authority, and strict adherence to constitutional norms. When federal agents repeatedly resort to lethal force in civilian settings, particularly under circumstances where de-escalation may have been possible, and when it comes within less than 24 hours of footage showing repeated uses of force against protestors, it represents a severe breakdown of accountability. This concern is magnified when it is targeted towards individuals exercising their constitutionally protected right to protest. These actions undermine the very foundation of the state’s moral authority.
The erosion of trust in institutions is a core national security vulnerability. History shows that when communities come to view the state as arbitrary, opaque or unaccountable in its use of force, instability and radicalization grow exponentially, while genuine safety diminishes.
National security is never strengthened by operations that generate fear, confusion, or escalation. It is strengthened by professionalism, restraint, transparency and uncompromising accountability.
This crisis, the latest in a growing list of disproportionate shows of force by federal immigration agents, must be addressed as a systemic failure. It warrants an immediate, independent investigation and comprehensive high-level review of how all immigration enforcement operations are planned, authorized and conducted to prevent further compromise of our democratic principles.
A secure democracy requires a state that is both powerful and unequivocally legitimate. When that legitimacy is compromised by its own actions, our national security suffers a grievous and lasting blow.
The Truman National Security Project is a nationwide community of diverse national security leaders working to develop strong, smart, and principled solutions to the most pressing national security challenges facing our nation.
