FBI Withdraws Oversight of ICE Confrontations

The Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security have denied any formal change in guidance despite reports from The New York Times. Previously, the FBI handled investigations into assaults against DHS agents, a practice often used to build cases against protesters. However, internal data shows these felony assault charges frequently collapse, with nearly half resulting in acquittals or dismissed cases.

By moving these investigations to Homeland Security Investigations—an arm of ICE—the government is effectively authorizing the agency to police its own conduct. This transition complicates efforts to address civil rights violations, as the new investigative body lacks the jurisdiction to probe whether lethal force by immigration agents crosses the line into criminal misconduct. With ICE agents linked to two civilian deaths in the past two weeks, the shift leaves a critical gap in federal oversight.