Reader Condemns 'Federal Agents' Terminology for ICE Officers

Commentary calls for end to 'respectful' language that hides 'outrageous behavior'

Jan. 29, 2026 at 2:47pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A reader commentary published in the Baltimore Sun strongly criticizes the use of the term 'federal agents' to describe U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) officers, arguing that this language serves as a 'shield' to hide the 'thuggish' and 'violent' actions of these law enforcement personnel.

Why it matters

The commentary reflects growing public outrage over the conduct of immigration enforcement agencies and calls for more accountability, as well as concerns that the use of benign terminology obscures the reality of ICE's actions against immigrant communities and American citizens.

The details

The reader, Charles Rammelkamp of Baltimore, asserts that describing ICE officers as 'federal agents' is akin to providing them a 'mask' that 'pardons' their 'outrageous behavior,' including 'murdering American citizens.' Rammelkamp draws a parallel to the pardon of the January 6th rioters at the U.S. Capitol, arguing that this has 'inevitably' led to ICE agents committing 'violent acts with impunity.'

  • The commentary was published on January 29, 2026.

The players

Charles Rammelkamp

A reader who submitted the commentary to the Baltimore Sun.

U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that the reader criticizes for its 'thuggish' and 'violent' actions against immigrant communities and American citizens.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Am I the only person offended by the term 'federal agents' to describe the U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) thugs who are murdering American citizens?”

— Charles Rammelkamp

“It's like a shield and no less than the masks they wear. When you pardon the Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol rioters who beat up police officers and destroyed property, this is inevitably what happens. You invite gung-ho thugs — these so-called federal agents — to commit violent acts with impunity, knowing that they will be pardoned by this corrupt government.”

— Charles Rammelkamp

The takeaway

This commentary underscores the growing public perception that the language used to describe immigration enforcement agencies like ICE obscures the reality of their actions, which are increasingly seen as 'thuggish' and 'violent' by critics. It also highlights concerns that a lack of accountability for such conduct, exemplified by the pardoning of the January 6th rioters, has emboldened these agencies to continue their 'outrageous behavior' with impunity.