War, that is said, is to continue the policy in other ways. State-sponsored violence, too, may perpetuate the policy. Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, has repeatedly urged ICE agents to increase their tactics and increase arrests, and he has broadcast to agents that they have “federal immunity.” Since that last comment in October 2025, ICE’s tactics have become more brutal. But historically speaking, host states — and in this case we’re talking about California, Illinois, Oregon, Minnesota, and Maine, I think — have not been good at long-term abusive behavior.

If political ends of these tactics not to sow deep mistrust, confusion, doubt, anger, and division, then they appear to be misdirected and misapplied. Tactics disconnected from strategy will ultimately result in strategic failure. In this case, ICE’s tactics are damaging to the Republican majority in Congress and control of the White House.

Ultimately, no matter how hard ICE tries to project its militant image, it remains an arm of civilian authority and not a military one. This is not fighting the enemies of the United States. It is important that we remember this and resist the normalization of military-style tactics on our streets.