To The Editor:

“Shoot first and don’t worry about anyone asking you questions later.” This appears to be a new policy at the Department of Homeland Security. Agents can act with impunity, and their bosses will just declare the victim to be a domestic terrorist, evidence will be swept under the rug. We the people have the right to peacefully protest and shouldn’t have to worry about being executed for doing so.

Prior to the 2024 election there was a bipartisan immigration bill working its way through congress with a reasonable chance of passing. Trump ordered Republicans to kill it. It was better for him to have it as an issue for the campaign, once again putting his own interests ahead of what was best for the country. Republicans willingly obeyed. This paved the way for Stephen Miller to forge ahead with his plan to expel as many non-whites as possible, part of the Project 2025 plan to make America white again. This is where we find ourselves today.

Last week in Maine an ICE agent was taking photos of license plates belonging to observers who were filming their activities. When asked why he was doing so his response was “Cause we have a nice little database and now you’re considered a domestic terrorist.” As DHS and the Injustice Dept continue to ignore the 1st, 4th and 10th amendments, Republicans have, for the most part, remained silent. It was not until the most recent victim, Alex Pretti was verbally attacked for exercising his 2nd amendment right that suddenly Republicans were up in arms. Pretti legally possessed a weapon, but he was brandishing a cell phone when he was taken down. The gun was removed from his person and then he was shot at least 10 times. This is America under Republican control — 277 days till the mid-term elections.

As we watch our individual rights and states’ rights being trampled, I for one, feel so much safer knowing that the scary five-year-old in the blue bunny hat has been apprehended. One concern I still have — am I going to be labeled a ‘domestic terrorist’ for submitting this letter?

Kathy Quinn

Newtown