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cbabe

(6,427 posts)
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 10:39 AM Feb 3

DHS's account of two Venezuelans shot by border patrol falls apart in court: 'A smear campaign'

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/feb/02/portland-venezuelans-shot-border-patrol-court

DHS’s account of two Venezuelans shot by border patrol falls apart in court: ‘A smear campaign’

Immigration officials said agent shot two ‘vicious gang members’ in Portland, but records obtained by the Guardian reveal US prosecutor contradicted claims

Sam Levin
Mon 2 Feb 2026 19.09 EST

Immediately after a US border patrol agent shot two people in Oregon last month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the targets were “vicious” gang members connected to a prior shooting and alleged they had “attempted to run over” officers with their vehicle.

In the weeks since, key parts of the federal government’s narrative have fallen apart.



But court records obtained by the Guardian reveal a Department of Justice prosecutor later directly contradicted DHS’ Tren de Aragua statements in court, telling a judge, “We’re not suggesting … [Niño-Moncada] is a gang member.” An FBI affidavit issued following the incident also suggests that in the previous shooting cited by DHS, Zambrano-Contreras was not a suspect, but rather a reported victim of a sexual assault and robbery. Neither Niño-Moncada or Zambrano-Contreras have prior criminal convictions, their lawyers have said.

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pandr32

(13,988 posts)
4. Yes, and with the same not-so-quality services meant for others.
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 11:48 AM
Feb 3

Sanitation, privacy, food, etc.--all substandard. Karma.

BidenRocks

(2,967 posts)
9. What we need is a line by line interpretation of our laws.
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 12:34 PM
Feb 3

Chump exploited the loopholes in a more trusting country.
Waiting for the SC to do this will take a hundred years.

The worlds trust in our future is on the line.

Checks and balances must be upheld.

Lawbreakers, even presidents must face consequences for their actions. NO immunity!

One new rule? When a president gets impeached and removed, the VP doesn't take over. The entire cabinet is replaced and the rot excised. This includes the speaker and others in line to take over.

We need to fascist-proof our government.

IbogaProject

(5,699 posts)
12. The chickens have come home to roost
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:31 PM
Feb 3

The wealthy in America and Europe have been doing this for centuries now. During our lifetimes we have been spared it happening here but our own have been sent to do this in many other countries. Viet Nam, Chilie, Argentina, Guatemala, El Salvidor, Panama, the Phillipenes in the early twentith century. Yes it is horrible but the wealthy have been having this happen frequently around the world and now it is happening here. Remember Hitler was funded by Wall Street and many German functionaries were imported and installed within the GOP. Their kids and decendents are running loose now here in America.

rubbersole

(11,119 posts)
5. Oops.
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 11:51 AM
Feb 3

My, how the tune changes when the cameras are off and the words carry legal consequences.
"Man, woman, judge, camera, tv." Aced it!

Kid Berwyn

(23,707 posts)
7. There's the car as weapon rationale again.
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 12:10 PM
Feb 3

If you're driving, remember: ICE, CBP, etc really know how to find a reason to shoot somebody they don't like.

gfarber

(232 posts)
8. DHS Spin
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 12:25 PM
Feb 3


A patrol agent fired one night,
Two people were shot out of sight.
DHS swiftly declared
They were vicious and feared,
Gang-linked and ready to fight.

They’d tried, so the agency claimed,
To run officers down—unashamed.
A past shooting too
Was invoked as a clue,
And a Tren de Aragua was named.

But weeks later cracks came in view,
As the courtroom revealed something new:
A prosecutor stood
And plainly said, “We would
Not claim he’s a gang member—no, true.”

An affidavit, signed by the Feds,
Put doubts in the story they spread:
That earlier crime
Was recast over time—
One man was a victim instead.

No records of crimes in their past,
No convictions, the lawyers hold fast.
So the tale DHS spun
Came apart, thread by one,
As the facts slowly surfaced at last.

maxsolomon

(38,412 posts)
11. The Narrative from DHS was that the 2 were running a prostitution ring in Portland.
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:00 PM
Feb 3

At the explicit direction of Tren de Agua. Now, what a shock, they just lied.

Are they arresting ANYONE who is a legit criminal? Have they already caught the big fish? WERE THERE any big fish?

Javaman

(65,428 posts)
13. everyone is a vicious gangmember who has committed murder until...
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:34 PM
Feb 3

the homelander nazi's are forced to tell the truth.

Martin Eden

(15,455 posts)
14. Is it mathematically possible for DHS to have less than zero credibility?
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 01:38 PM
Feb 3

I mean, if Trump can lower prescription drug prices by 500% (in effect paying customers to take their drugs) then why can't DHS have less than zero credibility?

Thunderbeast

(3,801 posts)
15. I am literally on my way to the scene of the shooting...
Tue Feb 3, 2026, 06:21 PM
Feb 3

Doctor's appointment in the clinic building where the "self defense" shooting by Border Patrol occurred. Across the street from the hospital where a seven year old girl was abducted by ICE while seeking treatment.

DHS spun this immediately as an attempted murder by a member of a Venezuelan gang. Under oath, federal prosecutors withdrew the claim. The damage had been done.

Time to impeach these liars.

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