Tricia McLaughlin on Law Enforcement

Statement summary

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said Renée Good weaponized her vehicle and attempted to run over law enforcement officers, defending the agent's decision to fire as justified self-defense.

“weaponized her vehicle, attempting to run over our law enforcement officers”

Statement summary

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the off-duty agent responded to an active shooter and was forced to defend himself, exchanging gunfire with Porter.

“On December 31st, an off duty ICE Officer bravely responded to an active shooter situation at his apartment complex. In order to protect his life and that of others, he was forced to defensively use his weapon and exchanged gunfire with the shooter.”

Statement summary

McLaughlin said Jimenez drove at the officers and characterized Ortiz’s gunfire as defensive.

“The car stopped and attempted to run officers over by reversing directly at them without stopping. An ICE officer, fearing for his life, fired defensive shots at the vehicle.”

Statement summary

McLaughlin said Brown deliberately drove at officers and that Bebber fired defensive shots out of fear for their safety.

“During the attempted stop, the suspect drove his vehicle at a Metro Police officer and a special agent from Homeland Security Investigations, in a deliberate attempt to run them down. The agent, in fear for his life, and the lives of others, and the public fired defensive shots into the suspect’s vehicle.”

Statement summary

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the department's construction-site enforcement practices as lawful, rejecting allegations of racial profiling raised in Leo Garcia Venegas's lawsuit and dismissing the suit as unwarranted.

“DHS law enforcement uses 'reasonable suspicion' to make arrests. What makes someone a target for immigration enforcement is if they are illegally in the U.S. — NOT their skin color, race, or ethnicity.”

Statement summary

McLaughlin said the agent followed his training and used appropriate force to protect himself and others.

“We are praying for the speedy recovery of our law enforcement officer. He followed his training, used appropriate force, and properly enforced the law to protect the public and law enforcement.”