The Great Mask Hypocrisy of Mike Johnson

Speaker Mike Johnson defended ICE agents wearing masks because they fear being identified and harassed, after years of the Republican Party mocking masks to prevent death from COVID.

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Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) is trying to use the idea of medical professionals and scientists advocating for masks during the COVID pandemic to allowing ICE agents to hide their identities.

The hypocrisy is expected, but given the way Republicans mocked sick and vulnerable people for wearing masks during the height of the pandemic and the way that in a free democratic society, law enforcement identifies itself, this is a grotesque moment worth highlighting.

In a free society, law enforcement identifies itself. Police officers wear badges. This is for purposes of accountability and oversight, in the forever struggle between human rights and law enforcement.

The ACLU suggests that people ask an agent to show them their badge to identify themselves: “You can ask agents to show you their badges and identify themselves. ICE agents sometimes wear uniforms that say "Police" even th…