California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom is lashing out at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for wearing masks during arrests, claiming they are trying to “inspire fear” while ignoring the real threats ICE agents face from violent cartels, open borders, and radical activists doxxing their families.

Appearing on “mitú Daily,” Newsom mocked ICE agents’ protective gear, asking, “Why are they masked? What are you afraid of?” and claiming the agents’ use of masks increases “stress” and “anxiety” during arrests. His remarks came even after the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) confirmed that doxxing of ICE agents has reached an “all-time high,” with agents’ families targeted, personal information leaked, and threats of violence rising as the administration cracks down on illegal immigration under President Trump’s directive.

“They’re in unmarked cars without identifying themselves, or at least difficult to identify, from all of these multi-letter agencies,” Newsom complained. “You’re being quite literally thrown in the back of a car, whether you’re a citizen or not, and they’ll figure it out later. That’s not America.”

But many Americans see something else: A governor attacking law enforcement officers who risk their lives to keep the border secure and American communities safe while cartels and violent criminals exploit Democrat-backed sanctuary policies.

Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, responded in a press gaggle, saying that assaults on ICE agents are climbing and that agents wear masks “to protect themselves and their families.” The Biden administration’s chaos at the border allowed cartel networks to expand, but Trump’s return has meant ramped-up enforcement and stricter deportations, which have made ICE agents high-value targets for cartels seeking to intimidate them into backing off.

Newsom isn’t alone in these bizarre attacks. Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman of New York echoed the complaint, questioning why agents “hide their face” if they are “legitimate.” Boston’s Democrat Mayor Michelle Wu compared ICE agents to a neo-Nazi group because they wear masks, while Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, in a law school commencement speech, compared ICE agents to the Gestapo, accusing them of “scooping folks up off the streets” and disappearing them into “foreign torture dungeons.”

It’s a narrative designed to demonize law enforcement, distract from the failures of open border policies, and paint Trump’s enforcement push as sinister when, in reality, it is addressing real violence spilling across the border.

ICE agents operate under threat from ruthless cartel networks that have proven willing to assassinate, torture, and threaten law enforcement officers. As ICE cracks down on human trafficking, fentanyl, and violent gang members, the risk to agents and their families rises, making protective measures like wearing masks not only reasonable but necessary.

Under the Trump administration, illegal crossings have dropped to record lows, while fentanyl seizures and deportations of violent criminals have spiked. This has infuriated left-wing activists who prefer policies that prioritize the feelings of illegal immigrants over the safety of American citizens and the law enforcement officers tasked with protecting them.

Newsom’s complaints ring hollow in a state plagued by crime, fentanyl overdoses, and homelessness—all worsened by policies that encourage illegal immigration and handcuff law enforcement. The same Democrats who push for universal mask mandates during pandemics now complain when federal agents wear masks to protect themselves from cartel hit squads.

Older conservative voters watching the border crisis unfold know what’s really happening: Democrats like Newsom would rather side with open-border activists than support the brave men and women of ICE trying to keep Americans safe. The question voters will remember is not “Why are ICE agents wearing masks?” but “Why are Democrats more worried about criminals’ feelings than American safety?”

This latest dust-up is a reminder that while Trump’s team is fighting to shut down the cartels, Democrats are busy undermining the agents doing the work. Americans see it, and come November, they will remember who stood with law enforcement—and who mocked them while cartel threats grew.