The Left has always had hare-brained schemes. But now even some Democrats are calling foul.
And Chris Cuomo unloaded on a Democrat for plotting an insane move against ICE.
Heated Exchange on Arming Against ICE
NewsNation host Chris Cuomo sharply rebuked a caller who suggested American citizens should arm themselves to defend against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents visiting their homes or businesses. The contentious discussion unfolded during a recent broadcast, highlighting a debate about the role of force in encounters with federal law enforcement.
The caller challenged Cuomo’s stance, arguing, “The advice that you’re giving, about not arming yourself if you’re confronted by ICE, is advice that somebody would give that’s not threatened by being confronted by ICE.”
The caller posed a hypothetical scenario: “What if ICE came to NewsNation and started rounding everybody up? You’re brown, they decide to detain you, and don’t give you an opportunity to explain that you’re a citizen and they want to take you and you don’t know what’s going to happen if you go with them. Would your advice be the same?”
Cuomo countered forcefully, rejecting the premise as inflammatory. “One, you’re assuming effect — ‘you don’t know what’s going to happen,’” he said.
“You’re suggesting they may k*ll you, they may do something bad to you. They are not a gang. They are operating under color of authority. So you’re suggesting to me that if an officer makes a wrongful arrest, that it is okay for you to be violent to them, that’s what you’re saying?”
Legal and Safety Concerns Raised
Cuomo emphasized the legal and practical dangers of the caller’s suggestion. “I’m saying that violence against an officer who is operating with color of authority is stupid and illegal! And suggesting it is stupid and reckless!” he stated.
He illustrated his point with an example of a police officer mistakenly identifying someone for arrest, noting, “You’re basically saying in that situation, you should be able to shoot them. It’s effin’ crazy, okay? It’s just crazy talk!”
Cuomo clarified that he wasn’t opposing the right to bear arms or self-defense but urged caution. “I’m not telling you don’t bear arms, or don’t protect yourself, but just think about what you’re saying,” he said.
“How could you ever want to suggest that people should be violent?” He also criticized media figures who might endorse such views, stating, “If that person has a boss and they’re in the media, they should be fired.”
Context of Broader Media Debate
The exchange follows similar remarks by former CNN host Don Lemon, who, in a discussion with Wajahat Ali, suggested non-whites might consider arming themselves against potential ICE visits.
While the caller expressed fears of unjust detention, Cuomo argued that advocating violence against federal agents escalates risks and undermines legal recourse, urging a more measured approach to such encounters.
