1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I am writing to express my deep concern and outrage over the recent arrest of Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, which I view as a political act of aggression and intimidation. The targeting of an elected official for standing in solidarity with his community raises serious questions about the abuse of federal power. Even more disturbing was the blatant manhandling of two Members of Congress by ICE agents—one of whom is in her 80s. This behavior is not only deplorable, but it also demonstrates a blatant disregard for the dignity and safety of our elected representatives. Additionally, the fact that ICE agents wore masks to conceal their identities during this operation is deeply troubling. This lack of transparency undermines public trust and accountability, and I strongly believe that such anonymity during enforcement actions should be prohibited by law. I urge you to investigate this incident thoroughly and to support legislation that ensures federal agencies operate with accountability, transparency, and respect for democratic institutions.