To the editor:

M. Gessen had an interesting article on the New York Times web page on Sunday, 1/25/26 in which the argument was presented that the Trump Administration has now arrived at state terror. The use of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Control agents as a paramilitary force bypasses the use of National Guard, especially since increased recruitment has expanded their numbers. President Trump, Vice President Vance and advisor Steven Miller have all stated publicly that Federal agents will have absolute immunity in carrying out their official duties

State terror requires instilling fear in the society that something bad could happen to you at any time. The ICE and Border Control agents in Minnesota have acted in a very aggressive manner with use of chemical agents and physical assaults. They are trying to provoke a hostile response from the demonstrators who are monitoring their activities. The killing of Renee Good and now Alex Pretty sends a signal that they can do whatever they want. Quoting from M. Gessen’s article, “President Trump is using all the ways state terror is used; the reported quotas for ICE arrests; the paramilitary force of ICE and Border Control; the spectacle of random violence particularly in city streets; the post mortem vilification of the victims.”

In a recent New York Times/Siena poll published on 1/23/26, 56% of Republicans polled approved of the tactics used by ICE as about right and 24% felt that ICE had not gone far enough. Fortunately, the majority of the people polled did not approve of the Trump Administration’s current approach to using ICE and Border Control agents to physically assault and kill citizens who are monitoring or protesting ICE activities. Unfortunately, the minority may continue to get their way as long as the U.S. Congress and U.S. Supreme Court remain silent.

John and Mary Kluge

New Ulm