Martin M. Looney is a Democratic member of the Connecticut State Senate representing New Haven and Hamden. He is the Senate's President Pro Tempore.
Case
ICE agents arrested a man inside a Meriden, Connecticut, courthouse while activists demanded to know why masked agents were violating the TRUST Act. State officials called it improper; ICE called the arrest appropriate and said marshals impeded it.
Role at the time: Connecticut Senate President Pro Tempore
Statement summary
Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney said ICE's use of masks reflected a lack of confidence in its own mission, contrasting it with the FBI, ATF and federal court marshals, none of which he said wear masks.
“The agency operating ICE inherently understands that some of what they’re doing is shameful, and that’s why they don’t want to be identified. It’s an extraordinary thing for people engaged in law enforcement to think they have to remain anonymous. It means that they don’t have confidence in the morality of their own mission. FBI agents do not wear masks. ATF agents — they don’t wear masks, either. Federal marshals who protect courthouses — they don’t wear masks.”
Looney criticizes ICE's masking practice as shameful and inconsistent with other federal law enforcement, an express criticism of that conduct.
Statement dates: September 29, 2026
Statement dates: September 29, 2026
