King Releases Statement on Reported Use of Shock Gloves by ICE

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) released the following statement in response to reporting that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is spending $20 million dollars on "shock gloves" in its nationwide patrols.

"At a time when the majority of Americans believe that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has been irresponsible in its use of force, the new ICE announcement touting shock gloves begs a crucial question: is ICE genuinely focused on de-escalation or, what appears more likely, intimidation of anyone critical of their often unlawful conduct?

"When two separate and entirely partisan funding bills passed Congress in the last year, they directed $75 billion in taxpayer dollars to ICE's rogue agenda, and even forward-funded the agency into 2029 in order to make congressional oversight all but impossible.

"We have already seen the tragic and deadly results of this agency operating without any real accountability. Innocent civilians have been killed, body-worn camera footage - when there are body cameras actually available and activated - is only released when it benefits the agency, and Americans nationwide are feeling more and more like they are living in a police state occupied by masked agents.

"And rather than have an open, good-faith conversation over methods and tactics, ICE is now investing millions (through what is reportedly a no-bid contract) in shock gloves that can do serious harm with little or no transparency or accountability.

"I urge every single one of my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to stand up, assert our constitutional authority, and demand immediate answers from ICE on their hiring practices, training, and tactics.

"I never thought I would see the day when masked and armed men in unmarked cars would be roaming the streets and neighborhoods of America, acting in utter disregard of the legal constraints that are basic to our freedoms.

"It's becoming more and more clear that the stated basis for this gross violation of our rights-that they are ridding our communities of "the worst of the worst"-is a lie, and the real purpose is to establish a national police force to do the bidding of a corrupt and lawless administration.

"It is past time for Congress to do its duty and, for once, put country ahead of party."

Senator King has been outspoken and proactive in his efforts to negotiate necessary guardrails for ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in the wake of unprofessional and unconstitutional behavior among those agencies. In January, King appeared on Face the Nation where he explained his Constitutional concerns over how ICE was operating in Maine, as well as possible paths forward for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding package. In February, he released a statement on congressional efforts to curtail ICE's activities in Maine and across the country-again calling for the implementation of guardrails.

Most recently, King called for a comprehensive, transparent, and expedited investigation into the fatal shooting involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel in Biddeford. Additionally, when given the chance to vote for a DHS budget that funded TSA, FEMA, CISA and the Coast Guard - holding ICE and CBP funding for bipartisan negotiations to include additional civilian protections - Senator King voted in favor of this approach all eleven times it was considered on the Senate floor.

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