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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.”
ssu459
about 2 years ago
152604 Comments
If there is a way to do something wrong,Obama and Holder will find it.This president,and I use a small p for president,is the biggest MISTAKE in human history.The Great wall of China has worked for them for centurys.Is there any pols left in this country who don't have their heads up a dark smelly spot??I am so da-n tired of placating foreign governments who despise us.Bring all our people home and send about a hundred thousand trioops to the border with specific orders to end this CRAP now.
chiefkcr
about 2 years ago
3626 Comments
This is NUTS !
JohnSmith338
about 2 years ago
52 Comments
Bump alexy.
Rogue1
about 2 years ago
466 Comments
Bump EXCOP.
ajsdaddyCCSO
about 2 years ago
2248 Comments
I agree with yall. If our people do not have the tools to do the job then by God stay north of the border.
tomconlin
about 2 years ago
2 Comments
I'm pretty sure we won't see the top people in our government go to Mexico or any other country in the world without armed Secret Service personnel. Yet by his argument, he shouldn't go abroad with any armed law enforcement or military personnel escorting him. Certainly, that isn't going to happen, and shouldn't happen. Just as he most certainly needs armed personnel to ensure his missions go smoothly when outside of this great country's borders, so too should all of our military and law enforcement personnel be armed in order to accomplish their missions safely. It's not about enforcing their laws or ours, as mentioned before, the weapons are there for self-protection in case of attack.
wiseass0282
about 2 years ago
10988 Comments
Brandydps is correct on this one. If they can not have guns to defend them selfs, they shouldn't be there.
Anonymous
about 2 years ago
All of us in law enforcement should be used to hearing this issue. It's just another elected official trying to tell us how to do our jobs. They should be doing everything within their power to keep us happy since we carry the guns and protect the communities. The something happened when I was in Iraq. How can someone set rules of engagement for troops 3000 miles away while sitting in an office in Washington DC.
dstar007
about 2 years ago
796 Comments
This should not even be an issue. This is so insane to remotely entertain the thought of still sending unarmed agents into a country where he wants to "be respectful of Mexico". Oh really, they're killing people over there. They are killing people on this side of the border too. Does this also mean that "if" he has the guts to ever go to Mexico again, will his protection detail be unarmed so they too can be "respectful"......I don't think so.
“Our job is to help with information, equipment, to help with coordination,” Obama told reporters Thursday.
This is an example of how the conversation should have gone with the Mexican President. "Some of your citizens killed one of my agents. Step aside while I coordinate my people and bring in my equipment because we will hunt them down and punish them. We will give you the information when we're finished". Any questions ?
Tikiygb
about 2 years ago
6 Comments
not surprised by this, neither one of these men have any business making decesions regarding law enforcement...they both hate cops and the military....truly they have no business running the country...just look at current events. 4dollar gas, and these bozos still refuse to let us drill in the gulf....the middle east is blowing up and inflation has arrived....this is all the wonderful change potus was hoping for.
EXCOP
about 2 years ago
26 Comments
Not only did Barry Sotero, pretender in chief, make a poor decision (no surprise) but then he makes it public so every cartel operative in the world knows that our agents can't defend themselves south of the border. He's an idiot.
alexy
about 2 years ago
3970 Comments
Rule #1 for gunfights.
Bring a gun
My advise would be say on the north shore of the Rio Grande and let them go down the toilet.
rhood
about 2 years ago
23592 Comments
Two thumbs down for not allowing our agents to have a fighting chance, arm them now or pull them out.
mapp
about 2 years ago
4162 Comments
You will have to consider arming American ICE agents? Really? So in other words we sending our officers to the slautgher! Sounds good right? NOT. They should be armed no mater what our role is down there. Has the Presdent not paid attention to the news lately if they are willing to execute school children then what chance do our unarmed ICE agents stand. NONE. This is very simple arm them so they have a figthing chance gor Godsake and not lead the lambs to....... I am from Texas and every Texan knows that Borderland is horrible and with the war on drugs that range has spread to the whole country. The cartell does not care if you are there for "help with information, equipment, to help with coordination" We are dying at an alarming rate this year so lets not help the bad guys make our death numbers any bigger.
Anonymous
about 2 years ago
My opinion is that if the Obama Administration and Mexico will not allow our Agents to be armed, we should not be over there. You are a sitting duck, with a big old target on your head. The cartels know they aren't armed, our guys are just sitting ducks.