1. United States
2. Alaska
3. Letter

I am writing as a constituent to express grave outrage regarding recent public statements made by VP Vance asserting that an ICE agent involved in the fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen possessed “absolute immunity.” This claim is deeply DISTURBING and, as a matter of constitutional law, Incirrect. The US Constitution DOES NOT grant federal law enforcement officers absolute immunity. There is NO constitutional provision that immunizes an agent from accountability for the use of lethal force against a civilian. While courts have recognized qualified immunity in certain civil contexts, that doctrine is judge-created, limited, and explicitly not absolute. It does not preclude criminal investigation, does not apply automatically, and does not attach prior to factual findings or judicial review. Equally DISTURBING is the context in which this assertion was made. The VPs statement occurred while investigations remain ongoing and amid widespread public protest. Declaring immunity at this stage undermines due process, judicial independence, and public confidence in constitutional accountability—particularly when the individual killed was a U.S. citizen and credible video evidence has raised questions about adherence to established law-enforcement practices, including post-incident medical aid. Escalating FED enforcement in response to public protest, while simultaneously asserting immunity for lethal conduct, raises serious First and Fourth Amendment concerns. Government actions that chill lawful speech, assembly, or public oversight are constitutionally suspect regardless of eventual findings on the underlying use of force. As an Alaskan and an American, I expect federal officials—especially those at the highest levels of government—to speak accurately about constitutional limits on state power and to refrain from prejudging matters that belong to independent investigation and the courts. I insist you: • Publicly reaffirm that federal agents are not constitutionally immune from accountability • Support transparent, independent investigation of the shooting and post-incident conduct • Reject rhetoric that suggests constitutional rights are suspended during federal enforcement actions The rule of law depends not only on court rulings, but on responsible leadership that honors constitutional boundaries while facts are still being examined.