Anonymity is not the answer

Public trust in our justice system is being eroded by masked agents

- ANITA CHABRIA COLUMNIST

A MAN is detained by agents after leaving an immigration hearing in New York.

(MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO Getty Images)

If you thought Jimmy Kimmel saved free speech, think again.

To hear President Trump tell it, no one, especially law enforcement officers, is safe from the dangers caused by opposing his policies — and he's ready to do something about it.

"This political violence is not a series of isolated incidents and does not emerge organically," Trump wrote in a new executive order.

"A new law enforcement strategy that investigates all participants in these criminal and terroristic conspiracies — including the organized structures, networks, entities, organizations, funding sources, and predicate actions behind them — is required."

Of course, despite his menacing tone, I agree with Trump that politically motivated violence against law enforcement — or anyone, be it Charlie Kirk or immigrant detainees - is reprehensible and completely unacceptable.

The deadly shooting in Dallas this week, which Trump referred to in the order, is a tragedy and any political violence should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the many laws on the books that protect our public servants, and the public at large.

A MAN is detained by agents after leaving an immigration hearing in New York.

(MICHAEL M. SANTIAGO Getty Images)

But criticizing government over-reach is not inciting violence, and calls for Democrats to stop attacking Trump's policies are just calls to silence dissent - one more attack on free speech at a moment when it's clear this administration is intent on demolishing opposition.