Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

Amaryllis

(10,909 posts)
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 09:47 AM Dec 7

One Man's Warning to ICE Agents May Be the Most Symbolic Act of Democratic Backbone We've Seen in Years

https://www.jackhopkinsnow.com/p/this-the-moment-a-police-chief-lit
THIS: The Moment A Police Chief Lit A Match Under American Democracy
Why One Man’s Warning to ICE Agents May Be the Most Symbolic Act of Democratic Backbone We’ve Seen in Years
Jack Hopkins
Dec 06, 2025

The Jack Hopkins Now Newsletter #679: Saturday, December 6th, 2025.
The Line in the Snow
Every once in a while, America gets a moment so small…

so subtle… so seemingly routine… that half the country misses it completely.
And the other half?

They feel it in their gut.
A shift.
A signal.
A spark.
That’s what happened when Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara walked up to a microphone…and said something you almost never hear from a modern law-enforcement commander:

“If ICE agents use unlawful force in this city, my officers must intervene. And if they don’t, they could lose their jobs.”

Let me translate that into plain, street-fighting English:

“This city does NOT belong to federal bullies.”

And friend…

This wasn’t just a warning.
It wasn’t just a press conference.
And it wasn’t just some polite statement about policy alignment.

snip

Because when a local police chief publicly draws a line against federal agents misusing force…

You are watching the American system, battered…bruised…limping…STILL remember how to stand up straight.

much more at link
44 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
One Man's Warning to ICE Agents May Be the Most Symbolic Act of Democratic Backbone We've Seen in Years (Original Post) Amaryllis Dec 7 OP
We need more of this from local police chiefs who are not poisoned with excessive amounts of testosterone or something Walleye Dec 7 #1
It would be within the right of any law enforcement, either state or local, House of Roberts Dec 7 #3
Post removed Post removed Dec 7 #2
A "Blue Wave Grifter?" Really? hlthe2b Dec 7 #5
yes, there are such things WhiskeyGrinder Dec 7 #6
You present no evidence or justification for a comment that could have just as easily come from MAGA hlthe2b Dec 7 #7
WTF? bluestarone Dec 7 #12
Who is the blue wave grifter you're referring to? duhneece Dec 7 #13
Seriously? Attilatheblond Dec 7 #16
People to this day are inspired by the people who stood up to the tanks in Tiananmen Square. Midnight Writer Dec 7 #4
When cops actually start locking up ICE agents, then I'll celebrate. Nt Fiendish Thingy Dec 7 #8
Ditto Scruffy1 Dec 7 #21
Trump is waiting for that level of popsdenver Dec 7 #33
Well, sir... OldBaldy1701E Monday #39
I gotta tell you.....OB popsdenver Monday #42
Yep. OldBaldy1701E Monday #43
Thx OB, for bravely saying this...... popsdenver Monday #44
Agree malaise Dec 7 #9
We don't want bullies. Historic NY Dec 7 #10
You mean like when one gets hit with a sandwich? StoolPigeon Dec 7 #11
We need more of that from Police Chiefs around our country. Fil1957 Dec 7 #14
I'll wait and see on most of this. Linda ladeewolf Dec 7 #15
Many of those old ones didnt follow Figarosmom Monday #38
I know, I do too. Yell that is. They were representing reality. Linda ladeewolf Monday #41
ICE/CBP break laws all the time IronLionZion Dec 7 #17
There will be blood Martin Eden Dec 7 #18
The only identification most of these masked, armed goons wear is "POLICE" on their tactical vests. sop Dec 7 #19
And it makes sense politically... PCIntern Dec 7 #20
Wow 😁 TommieMommy Dec 7 #22
Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Trump's immigration policies Mysterian Dec 7 #23
He did? When? Where? What is your source? Amaryllis Dec 7 #25
Read and weep Mysterian Dec 7 #29
Thanks. Bummer. Amaryllis Dec 7 #35
Trump made it clear his entire campaign orangecrush Dec 7 #36
The Dem attorneys general began preparing before the election and have been very prepared and very Amaryllis Monday #40
If it were a motorcycle gang or a group of drug cartel youth looking to some action, terrorizing a city DFW Dec 7 #24
When they go after white people... Girard442 Dec 7 #28
LOL, whatever. Someone wake me up when it actually happens. n/t flvegan Dec 7 #26
Excellent report !! TY! nt Shoeless Louis Dec 7 #27
I suspect the Chief has been chatting with the Governor, Bayard Dec 7 #30
Thinking the same. CAn't imagine the gov was not involved. Amaryllis Dec 7 #31
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara MorbidButterflyTat Dec 7 #32
Stand up for our fellow American neighbors! undergrounddemsunite Dec 7 #34
Kick. N/T Upthevibe Monday #37

Walleye

(43,618 posts)
1. We need more of this from local police chiefs who are not poisoned with excessive amounts of testosterone or something
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 09:54 AM
Dec 7

Unfortunately, often the police mentality seems to back up this kind of thuggish behavior

House of Roberts

(6,364 posts)
3. It would be within the right of any law enforcement, either state or local,
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 09:59 AM
Dec 7

to detain anyone in their jurisdiction in public, masked, and armed. No need for there to be action of any kind. That alone is a threat to the public and should be treated as such.

Response to Amaryllis (Original post)

hlthe2b

(112,513 posts)
5. A "Blue Wave Grifter?" Really?
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 10:13 AM
Dec 7

You really need to explain because that comment could readily have come from a MAGA website...

What, exactly, has he done to be labeled a "blue wave grifter?"

hlthe2b

(112,513 posts)
7. You present no evidence or justification for a comment that could have just as easily come from MAGA
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 10:17 AM
Dec 7
You owe it to the man you just libeled to justify your statement.

Attilatheblond

(8,088 posts)
16. Seriously?
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:27 AM
Dec 7

Very sad to not realize there might just be good people in local police departments. Seems this man is actually working to clean up a department with some really bad history. Seems he is doing the work to restore the public's faith that local law enforcement is really there to Serve and Protect and he isn't going to tolerate any divergence from that goal.

Midnight Writer

(25,110 posts)
4. People to this day are inspired by the people who stood up to the tanks in Tiananmen Square.
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 10:08 AM
Dec 7

Nobody is inspired by the people who drove those tanks.

popsdenver

(1,366 posts)
33. Trump is waiting for that level of
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 06:25 PM
Dec 7

disobedience to throw out Posse Comatatus Act, and enable the Insurrection Act......

Damned if you do, damned if you don't............The Republicans have been orchestrating and organizing for just this occurring, for decades......

OldBaldy1701E

(9,889 posts)
39. Well, sir...
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 08:03 AM
Monday

Then, we had better be ready for that, eh?

Which is what is the most infuriating to me.

We most certainly are not ready.

Because it is coming. Either that orange gibbon will have a snit fit and do it because we must respect his 'authority', or Miller will wait until Orangina is just a drooling figurehead and get him to sign for it, probably with Kegstand right beside him.

Either way, this is not going to end like some think it is. Which is very upsetting.

popsdenver

(1,366 posts)
42. I gotta tell you.....OB
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 12:51 PM
Monday

most of the people I see, are just running around, going about their normal lives, not paying a lick of attention to anything except their little world, in their tiny microcosm bubble......and thinking all of this, will just blow over.......

For decades, they have all been walking down the jungle path...... swatting at mosquitoes, completely oblivious to the herd of charging elephants.....

(Pun Intended)

I am in constant concern about what is coming.......and, at the speed at which it is accelerating, AND the atrocious shit that is being done each and every day across the nation, and by the U.S. around the world...........

For Christ's sake,......Parking an AIRCRAFT CARRIER GROUP offshore of some sovereign country and ILLEGALLY DECLARING WAR, on their 20' boats, and blowing them up?????????????? And, as it has been reported....sending in SEAL TEAM SIX? to murder all unarmed survivors?????????

What is really disturbing is that there are 70+ Million MAGAot voters that think this is perfectly fine, and want more....

OldBaldy1701E

(9,889 posts)
43. Yep.
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 01:58 PM
Monday

As I said, I don't know what form this is going to take, but it is going to be a test of what this country really stands for.

And, I am very concerned that I am going to be correct in my assessment of what that is.

popsdenver

(1,366 posts)
44. Thx OB, for bravely saying this......
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 02:05 PM
Monday

and just to let you know, I am right there with you...................
Some of us have been watching all this coming on, and screaming our heads off, from the rooftops, since November 1980.....

Historic NY

(39,544 posts)
10. We don't want bullies.
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 10:26 AM
Dec 7

We don't want bullies. I'm waiting until one of the ICE clowns get squarely sucker punched and goes crying to Ice Barbie.

Linda ladeewolf

(1,061 posts)
15. I'll wait and see on most of this.
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:24 AM
Dec 7

I don’t know how all this crap happened in the world. I’m currently watching old stuff on my computer. I mean really old, Original dragnet episodes, Dragnet 67 episodes and Adam 12. Cops were trained differently. You have to train them like they used to be. I know those were idealized, but the whole point was that was how they were trained-to high ideals, standards way above what you have now. It seems like most of the problems started when they began to use more military ideals on a civilian population, which are as a rule undisciplined by nature. The answer is possibly more discipline among us. We may have to form our own groups or influence our law enforcement to become our protectors. There are more of them than the military and they are armed and have the authority ,or is this off base?

Figarosmom

(9,485 posts)
38. Many of those old ones didnt follow
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 03:21 AM
Monday

Civil rights laws either. They would break into peoes houses when they weren't home and search them
They would search your car or body w/o cause. I don't know how many times I'd yell at the TV that they couldn't do what they were doing.

Linda ladeewolf

(1,061 posts)
41. I know, I do too. Yell that is. They were representing reality.
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 12:10 PM
Monday

That doesn’t mean they approved of it, just that is what it was with the contrast of what it was supposed to be. I think in a way the police have always been heavy handed, for a while due to scrutiny they had to lay off it, but now they get a pat on the back. And it’s much worse, though I can see that some departments are trying to back off just to save their own arses.

IronLionZion

(50,685 posts)
17. ICE/CBP break laws all the time
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:27 AM
Dec 7

they don't even identify themselves as law enforcement, show badges, show warrants for arrest, read people their Miranda rights, etc. They break traffic laws all the time when ramming their vehicles into people's cars. They even wound and abuse people handcuffed in their custody.

MAGA enjoyed the 2020 police brutality against protesters so much they decided to ramp it up exponentially. They hide their faces to avoid any legal liability in future.

America doesn't need a masked armed paramilitary force with a budget larger than the entire Russian military. We've seen this kind of stuff in Germany, North Korea, China, Soviet Union, Middle East, Northern Ireland, etc. with disastrous results. It's disgusting to see it here.

Martin Eden

(15,272 posts)
18. There will be blood
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:46 AM
Dec 7

Unless ICE takes Chief O'Hara seriously, and takes action to ensure their "agents&quot a.k.a. thugs) conform to civil law.

sop

(17,204 posts)
19. The only identification most of these masked, armed goons wear is "POLICE" on their tactical vests.
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:59 AM
Dec 7

They're not police. Arrest them for impersonating police officers.

PCIntern

(27,927 posts)
20. And it makes sense politically...
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 12:01 PM
Dec 7

Long after these discount-SS/Brownshirts are gone, the police force still has to function and be perceived as “reasonable”

Mysterian

(6,126 posts)
23. Meanwhile, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries praised Trump's immigration policies
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 12:40 PM
Dec 7

What an amazing disconnect.

orangecrush

(27,947 posts)
36. Trump made it clear his entire campaign
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 11:41 PM
Dec 7

That he intended to engage in both physical and institutional violence against his perceived enemies, which are composed of a very large percentage of the American populace.

The utter lack of preparedness of those we elected to uphold and preserve the constitution is the political equivalent of criminal negligence.

Amaryllis

(10,909 posts)
40. The Dem attorneys general began preparing before the election and have been very prepared and very
Mon Dec 8, 2025, 08:40 AM
Monday

active, meeting daily on video chat. Our Oregon AG had a lawsuit ready to go the same day Trump ordered NG into Portland.

DFW

(59,635 posts)
24. If it were a motorcycle gang or a group of drug cartel youth looking to some action, terrorizing a city
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 12:58 PM
Dec 7

People would be clamoring for law enforcement to come out in force, guns drawn, and help them, yelling, "what are you guys there for, anyway? What part of PROTECT did you not understand?"

So a bunch of masked thugs with no ID randomly terrorizing people, kidnapping some, injuring others--these criminals are somehow deserving of better treatment? It should be the same tactic: in force with guns drawn. Let them establish--IF THEY CAN--who they are, whose orders they are following, and some official documentation to back up their claim. If they have none, pack them in crowded city jail cells until they can justify more civil treatment. If they pull their own firearms and produce no legal justification for doing so, respond with whatever force necessary to bring about compliance. Tell them SWAT said "hi."

Bayard

(28,250 posts)
30. I suspect the Chief has been chatting with the Governor,
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 05:16 PM
Dec 7

And they came up with this statement and challenge. trump will lose his mind and send troops. What happens then?

I think there's some safety in numbers though. The more cities that make this proclamation, the better.

MorbidButterflyTat

(4,043 posts)
32. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 05:49 PM
Dec 7

is a Democrat?

Couldn't support the chief without slamming the entire Dem party, "for years."

34. Stand up for our fellow American neighbors!
Sun Dec 7, 2025, 06:57 PM
Dec 7

We need to stand up for each other! Tyranny is growing in America 2025 and will get worse in 2026!

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»One Man's Warning to ICE ...