Just after 8:00 this morning, while I was still in my pajamas and working on my computer, I heard a crashing sound and men screaming right outside my bedroom window. I struggled to understand exactly what they were saying, making out only that they were demanding that someone “come out immediately,” followed by threats about what would happen if they didn’t. Before I could even process what they were saying, my daughter came running into my room absolutely terrified, telling me there were men with guns surrounding our house.
This is terrifying. It will probably get worse, and the horrible thought is that a certain section of the American population actually want it to be that way.
William, they need it to be this way, so they can keep our country mired in racism. It's their only goal, the only thing that makes them feel superior and happy. They disgust me.
Another great article Heather! Your article on these horrible ICE officers and the way the man they arrested was treated was so upsetting to me. Thank you again for your honest, thoughtful comments. I have become such a fan of yours and look forward to reading each and every wonderful article. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Sent this to my Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Judicial Oversight:
Brendan Norris Homicide Newport RI
Hi I am very concerned that this Investigation that is now underway is transparent. It is currently being done by the State Police, not with Newport police. This was instigated by a stolen 40’ yacht spotted at anchor off Battery Park. Brendan Norris was aboard and was approached by 7 men in a harbor master launch. 4 officers and 3 harbor master employees. Brendan was declared deceased after a gun-battle.
What happened? We expect and deserve transparency as members of our community.
As an addendum to this, Brendan was a going through a mental crisis of some sort. Unconfirmed reports from family friends have said he was shot 14 times to become deceased.
Actually seeing it happen is different than reading about it. I'm sorry for the psychological trauma you and your family suffered because of Trump's goon squad. I don't see how these guys are any different from Hitler's Brown Shirts. They at least were brave enough to show their faces.
This is a hell of a column, Heather. It really brought home the tragedy of the Trump Regime in all its secret glory.
I agree but I don’t think the Nazis showing their faces was bravery. They just thought they were all-powerful and untouchable. They most likely believed they were on the right side. But here and now, I’m sure these guys know what they are doing is wrong and that’s why they hide their identities, they are riding the power wave. Disgusting.
I most assuredly think that both these ICE and DHS assholes THINK they are all powerful, but they want their anonymity to protect themselves from identification and accountability.
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill gave these goon squads nearly a bottomless pit of money to use in enforcing Trump's mandates via Executive Actions.
Every illegal arrest - no charge, no warrant, no access to an attorney - is a raw violation of Trump's oath to the Constitution, and therefore Grounds for Impeachment.
The Constitution sets out the Congress as the source of accountability and the Judicial Branch for the enforcement of that accountability. All of these intended reins on a rogue President are being run by Trump loyalists.
So when you vote this November, DO NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN FOR ANY OFFICE. If you do, you're voting against your own interests.
Something that the word unbelievable could be used for in saner times is only too believable now. The Cross wrenched from that man's neck not long ago would have been a Star of David .
I was born not long after WW11 in the UK and the images you give in your writing have a terrible resonance to things I learned and heard growing up.
I've seen most of the famous horror films. None chilled me as much as that piece. Your strength is inspirational. I sigh and hope that fair elections can take place in November. The worry is that Democrats remain complacent thinking the voters will decide the outcome whilst the disgusting slime in the WH explore every possible avenue to cheat the people.
A movong personal story this time. I just wanted to say that I consider you a very courageous woman who makes her voice heard daily under her own name in an attempt to turn around the political situation in the USA.
I have enormous respect for that (from the Netherlands).
I'm glad that you and your family (and the cutie dog) are safe. I am so sorry for the man that they hauled away. Fear is what they are after, but they themselves are too cowardly to show their faces or wear a name badge. Vote Blue in November so that we can start to deal with these domestic terror squads and the smug rich folks who direct their activities.
Heather. I'm absolutely appalled at what has happened in your neighbourhood with these ICE thugs terrifying you and your family. They are acting just like Hitler's Blackshirts in Nazi Germany. Good for you videoing what happened; you might need it later. I'm glad that you and your family are safe. The sooner that mango Mussolini is impeached or succumbs to illness the better. He is the only reason the US is in such turmoil now, with his band of complacent cohorts.
I started reading your post while eating my breakfast, as I read my heart rate went up in horror so I can only imagine the fear and worry you felt.
I have a question - with marauding masked men with lots of cars and guns and armoured cars, what happens if you do call the federal police as surely this is not a legal way to behave to arrest one man.
Surely there should be some sort of way to make sure this man who has had his religious gold cross stolen to have some support and comeback.
Were there other residents also out filming ?
I am so very horrified at this story, I could not finish my breakfast, it really is Nazi Germany reproduced.
I am frightened for America but now I am really terrified.
We don’t have a federal police force, per se, but I suppose the closest federal agency for any kind of law enforcement would be the FBI within the Department of Justice. Under the power-tripping Kash Patel and Trump’s personal law firm (formerly the people’s DoJ), these agencies are busy defending these lawless thugs. State and local police in some areas are working to enforce laws and protect residents, but there are issues about jurisdiction and federal supremacy. And in some parts of the US, the local law enforcement is complicit and not at all invested in protecting Black or Brown people.
This is horrific. I live in a housing cooperative that is rapidly becoming majority Latino/a, and I live in dread of a scene like this playing out here. It seems like the world has gone nuts and I just want it to end before I go nuts myself.
I am terrified for you and your family and not surprised that this has happened right outside your door. You were brave to face them and record them. And I am deeply saddened that another person has been taken away. When will this madness end. When will those who can stop this do so. They, too, must be held accountable for their complicity in this heinous and criminal behaviour. Stay safe. Stay protected. Elbows Up. 🇨🇦
Let’s be clear. Speaker Mike Johnson is directly responsible for this. Trump will not change. But the Constitution provides a check on authoritarian, lawless conduct. Article I of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to prevent ICE and other misconduct (tarriffs, funding, war, etc) and hold accountable those who enable it. Speaker Johnson must be removed. Democrats and a handful of courageous Republicans who take their oath of office seriously can vote to vacate the chair and install someone - Democrat or Republican - who will do the job Speaker Johnson fails to do. There are 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats now. This is a break-the-glass moment. Do. It. Now.
I note with interest the sheer theatricality of this episode—the dress-up imbalance between these men who have purchased and armed themselves with heavy-duty costumes (full military gear, assault guns, elaborate helmets, etc. as if they were pretending, imagining, themselves about to storm Normandy beaches) and coming as masked men in large numbers and unmarked vehicles into a quiet residential American neighborhood in early morning to seize an elderly and probably innocent individual man, stealing his religious necklace in the process. Talk about performance politics! And do Republican government officials and Party object? Are you kidding me?
This is terrifying. It will probably get worse, and the horrible thought is that a certain section of the American population actually want it to be that way.
William, they need it to be this way, so they can keep our country mired in racism. It's their only goal, the only thing that makes them feel superior and happy. They disgust me.
My thoughts entirely! I’m really concerned for Heather, Peter, & their family now.
They are soulless cowards. likely sitting in pews on Sundays.
Yup
Disgusting
Another great article Heather! Your article on these horrible ICE officers and the way the man they arrested was treated was so upsetting to me. Thank you again for your honest, thoughtful comments. I have become such a fan of yours and look forward to reading each and every wonderful article. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Sent this to my Senator Sheldon Whitehouse. Judicial Oversight:
Brendan Norris Homicide Newport RI
Hi I am very concerned that this Investigation that is now underway is transparent. It is currently being done by the State Police, not with Newport police. This was instigated by a stolen 40’ yacht spotted at anchor off Battery Park. Brendan Norris was aboard and was approached by 7 men in a harbor master launch. 4 officers and 3 harbor master employees. Brendan was declared deceased after a gun-battle.
What happened? We expect and deserve transparency as members of our community.
As an addendum to this, Brendan was a going through a mental crisis of some sort. Unconfirmed reports from family friends have said he was shot 14 times to become deceased.
You are so lucky to have a great Senator.
I love to watch Sheldon speak slowly methodically dismantling testimony of a witness before the judiciary committee, recently our criminal AG, Todd 🤣
“Whitehouse for the White House” 👍
Actually seeing it happen is different than reading about it. I'm sorry for the psychological trauma you and your family suffered because of Trump's goon squad. I don't see how these guys are any different from Hitler's Brown Shirts. They at least were brave enough to show their faces.
This is a hell of a column, Heather. It really brought home the tragedy of the Trump Regime in all its secret glory.
I agree but I don’t think the Nazis showing their faces was bravery. They just thought they were all-powerful and untouchable. They most likely believed they were on the right side. But here and now, I’m sure these guys know what they are doing is wrong and that’s why they hide their identities, they are riding the power wave. Disgusting.
I most assuredly think that both these ICE and DHS assholes THINK they are all powerful, but they want their anonymity to protect themselves from identification and accountability.
Trump's Big Beautiful Bill gave these goon squads nearly a bottomless pit of money to use in enforcing Trump's mandates via Executive Actions.
Every illegal arrest - no charge, no warrant, no access to an attorney - is a raw violation of Trump's oath to the Constitution, and therefore Grounds for Impeachment.
The Constitution sets out the Congress as the source of accountability and the Judicial Branch for the enforcement of that accountability. All of these intended reins on a rogue President are being run by Trump loyalists.
So when you vote this November, DO NOT VOTE FOR A REPUBLICAN FOR ANY OFFICE. If you do, you're voting against your own interests.
This is truly appalling .
Something that the word unbelievable could be used for in saner times is only too believable now. The Cross wrenched from that man's neck not long ago would have been a Star of David .
I was born not long after WW11 in the UK and the images you give in your writing have a terrible resonance to things I learned and heard growing up.
God help America, God help you all.
I've seen most of the famous horror films. None chilled me as much as that piece. Your strength is inspirational. I sigh and hope that fair elections can take place in November. The worry is that Democrats remain complacent thinking the voters will decide the outcome whilst the disgusting slime in the WH explore every possible avenue to cheat the people.
A movong personal story this time. I just wanted to say that I consider you a very courageous woman who makes her voice heard daily under her own name in an attempt to turn around the political situation in the USA.
I have enormous respect for that (from the Netherlands).
I'm glad that you and your family (and the cutie dog) are safe. I am so sorry for the man that they hauled away. Fear is what they are after, but they themselves are too cowardly to show their faces or wear a name badge. Vote Blue in November so that we can start to deal with these domestic terror squads and the smug rich folks who direct their activities.
In the UK we are so appalled what is happening in America. Let’s all hope the mid-terms later this year will be the start of the turnaround you need.
So let us make sure Nige and his thuggish crew don’t get into power!🇬🇧
Heather. I'm absolutely appalled at what has happened in your neighbourhood with these ICE thugs terrifying you and your family. They are acting just like Hitler's Blackshirts in Nazi Germany. Good for you videoing what happened; you might need it later. I'm glad that you and your family are safe. The sooner that mango Mussolini is impeached or succumbs to illness the better. He is the only reason the US is in such turmoil now, with his band of complacent cohorts.
Without the Republican buy in and their leadership this could NEVER happen. The complicity must be held accountable
I started reading your post while eating my breakfast, as I read my heart rate went up in horror so I can only imagine the fear and worry you felt.
I have a question - with marauding masked men with lots of cars and guns and armoured cars, what happens if you do call the federal police as surely this is not a legal way to behave to arrest one man.
Surely there should be some sort of way to make sure this man who has had his religious gold cross stolen to have some support and comeback.
Were there other residents also out filming ?
I am so very horrified at this story, I could not finish my breakfast, it really is Nazi Germany reproduced.
I am frightened for America but now I am really terrified.
We don’t have a federal police force, per se, but I suppose the closest federal agency for any kind of law enforcement would be the FBI within the Department of Justice. Under the power-tripping Kash Patel and Trump’s personal law firm (formerly the people’s DoJ), these agencies are busy defending these lawless thugs. State and local police in some areas are working to enforce laws and protect residents, but there are issues about jurisdiction and federal supremacy. And in some parts of the US, the local law enforcement is complicit and not at all invested in protecting Black or Brown people.
I am so sad for you all. Sometimes our uniformed police are not perfect but we trust them in an emergency. I am in UK x
I’m sad for us, too. We’re working on it!!
This is horrific. I live in a housing cooperative that is rapidly becoming majority Latino/a, and I live in dread of a scene like this playing out here. It seems like the world has gone nuts and I just want it to end before I go nuts myself.
I am terrified for you and your family and not surprised that this has happened right outside your door. You were brave to face them and record them. And I am deeply saddened that another person has been taken away. When will this madness end. When will those who can stop this do so. They, too, must be held accountable for their complicity in this heinous and criminal behaviour. Stay safe. Stay protected. Elbows Up. 🇨🇦
Let’s be clear. Speaker Mike Johnson is directly responsible for this. Trump will not change. But the Constitution provides a check on authoritarian, lawless conduct. Article I of the U.S. Constitution gave Congress the power to prevent ICE and other misconduct (tarriffs, funding, war, etc) and hold accountable those who enable it. Speaker Johnson must be removed. Democrats and a handful of courageous Republicans who take their oath of office seriously can vote to vacate the chair and install someone - Democrat or Republican - who will do the job Speaker Johnson fails to do. There are 218 Republicans to 214 Democrats now. This is a break-the-glass moment. Do. It. Now.
SO SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO YOU. 💕💕💕
ICE TOOK MY AMAZON DELIVERY DRIVER. I didn't see it, but did not know they were in our area. ( East of Seattle)
I was hoping Governor Ferguson would be able to keep them out.
Either he can't or he doesn't know they were here?
CONGRESS IS BEING NO HELP
WHATSOEVER.
Looks like they don't see themselves as responsible.😡
Thank you for continuing to report. You are right. We need a record of this.
😠😡😠😡😠😡
🗽🇺🇲🇨🇦🇺🇦
I note with interest the sheer theatricality of this episode—the dress-up imbalance between these men who have purchased and armed themselves with heavy-duty costumes (full military gear, assault guns, elaborate helmets, etc. as if they were pretending, imagining, themselves about to storm Normandy beaches) and coming as masked men in large numbers and unmarked vehicles into a quiet residential American neighborhood in early morning to seize an elderly and probably innocent individual man, stealing his religious necklace in the process. Talk about performance politics! And do Republican government officials and Party object? Are you kidding me?
The Gestapo dressed up too.
This sickened me, it could and does happen throughout this once wonderful country.