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Obama: Keep US Agents Disarmed in Mexico
President Barack Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder
Talking Points Memo via YellowBrix
March 04, 2011
WASHINGTON, DC – There appears to be some light between President Obama’s position on arming Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents while in Mexico and that of Attorney General Eric Holder, the nation’s top law enforcement official, just three weeks after ICE agent Jaime Zapata was shot to death in northern Mexico with a gun smuggled in from the U.S.
After a White House meeting between Obama and Mexican President Felipe Calderon, Obama seemed to convey a reluctance to arm ICE agents while they are traveling in Mexico.
“Our job is to help with information, equipment, to help with coordination,” Obama told reporters Thursday. “We do not carry out law enforcement activities in Mexico. What we can do is make sure that our cooperation is strengthened and deepened over time and we’re constantly refining how we do that in a way that is respectful of Mexico.”
“I assure you that we will be examining all our options and protocols …,” he continued.
The killing of Zapata emboldened U.S. critics of Mexico’s drug policy and earlier this week seemed to have Obama administration officials considering arming U.S. agents working across the border to ensure their safety.
“We have to make sure that those kinds of incidents are not repeated and to the extent that that involves the potential arming of them, that’s something I think we have to consider,” Holder told a congressional panel this week.
Yet, by Thursday both Obama and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano appeared to play down the prospect of arming ICE agents while traveling in Mexico.
“The issue of agents and arming is something that should be discussed in a more classified setting than a public hearing,” Napolitano said in response to a question from Rep. Mike McCaul (R-TX). “It’s an issue that involves not just Mexico but other countries as well.”
clearforcode7
about 2 years ago
396 Comments
Hey Obama tell all your Secret Service guys to dissarm themselves when you travel down there then!
Avacop310
about 2 years ago
454 Comments
November 2012 cannot get here fast enough!
rod3245
about 2 years ago
716 Comments
Is any one really surprised? I would have been surprised if President Milktoast did anything different.
USLawman1983
about 2 years ago
1568 Comments
The agents should have access to weapons upon arrival to at least defend themselves for crissakes.
Maybe the vehicles they travel in should have weapons in them.
Obama is a disciple of the Rev. Wright teachings and they absolutely hate cops, always have, always will.
I can hardly wait for November 2012 so we can get rid of Obama. . Holder, Napalitano, Clinton too.
NYPDALT
about 2 years ago
3110 Comments
Wow... just wow.
Scurge
about 2 years ago
1238 Comments
Then he should send his secret service detail to protect them and he can go unarmed and w/o security. Then we'll see how long he lasts, him being as popular as he is
Anonymous
about 2 years ago
I agree with OneTwoAlpha. Law enforcement officials should be able to protect themselves. This absolutely BS. Obama is such a hypocrit! Its not like he's going to order his security crew to leave their weapons and gear in a closet whenever he travels to a foreign country, or even another city. Law enforcement officials have their weapons for a reason and they should use them whenever its necesary.
Whalewatcher
about 2 years ago
9796 Comments
Didn't have to read the story to know it was full of - - - -. How many more Americans have to be killed before the powers-that-be wake up and smell the flowers ?? Let's put some of their family and/or friends down on the border, and below it, and see how quick things change !!!!!
mjones0089
about 2 years ago
408 Comments
We give Mexico millions and millions of dollars each year to fight the war on drugs. And they won't even allow our agencts to carry a firearm to protect themselves, this its right. Congress should pull ALL FUNDING for this drug program. They should have Diplomatic immunity or send them HOME. This is B.S.
bstites
about 2 years ago
1030 Comments
This makes me sick.
suprtrkr
about 2 years ago
672 Comments
Hey Obama, the next time you go to another country or territory, then you have your security people leave their guns in the plane. It would be the same thing as if they went into Mexico with you and you were trying to help Mexico out. Lets see how safe you feel then.
bobska
about 2 years ago
660 Comments
They need to be Armed while over there, regardless!!!!
cops1521
about 2 years ago
968 Comments
My concern is that they would be charged with murder if they protected themself. We had an ATF Agent from the local Office assigned to the US Territory Virgin Islands who was off duty there but had to soot and kill a neighbor who was putting the neighbor's wife and the Agent in fear of their life (the wife had run to the Agent for help knowing he was a LEO). The Agent was arrested and they refused any kind of immunity and was going through with the murder trial of the Agent. It was only dismissed when the ATF pulled all their Agents out as did other Agencies saying they were not going to put their Agents at risk for being charged with murder for doing their job. The Agent is now back here thankfully. That was a US Territory that did that. I hate to think what Mexico which is not a territory of ours would do.
I do feel they should be armed but I hate to think what would happen to them.
ilegworldchamp
about 2 years ago
8998 Comments
WILDSOLDIER ; The C.I.A. Agents are officially classified as "State Department Employees" and are covered by Diplomatic Immunity " . Law Enforcement Officers are not even though they drive Diplomats Vehicles while in other Countries .
wildsoldier
about 2 years ago
1246 Comments
I don't see what the big deal is with letting them carry fire arms the CIA is there and they are carrying.....They are all over the world carrying guns in secrecy...