A significant ideological inconsistency exists where political figures on the right fiercely condemn perceived federal overreach like the "Twitter files"—requests to remove content—while simultaneously defending aggressive, violent federal actions by agencies like ICE. This reveals a partisan, rather than principled, opposition to government power.

Regardless of a suspect's prior behavior or criminal history, the justification for lethal force ends the moment they are disarmed and no longer a threat. Harris emphasizes that in the Alex Preddy case, once officers had removed his weapon and restrained him, the subsequent shooting was an unjustified killing, a principle that transcends the victim's character.

The GOP has long framed the Second Amendment as a citizen's defense against government overreach. However, by defending federal agents who killed Alex Preddy, a legally armed citizen, many Republicans are contradicting their core ideological argument. This creates a significant fissure between the party and gun rights absolutists.

Even citizens who support a policy's goal, like immigration enforcement, can be alienated by the methods. The image of masked, unaccountable agents taps into a fundamental, cross-partisan American cultural fear of tyranny, overriding specific policy alignment.

The heavy-handed federal ICE operations in Minnesota challenge the Second Amendment argument that an armed citizenry can prevent government overreach. Despite widespread gun ownership, federal agents with superior firepower operate with impunity, showing that civilian weapons are not an effective deterrent.

Harris is profoundly disturbed by the immediate, coordinated effort from all levels of the federal government to publicly vilify Alex Preddy after he was killed. He argues that when a government instantly labels a citizen a 'terrorist' and 'assassin' despite conflicting evidence, it's a terrifying sign of authoritarian behavior and a repudiation of due process.

The public is becoming desensitized to government behaviors, such as ICE's excessive force, that should be universally unacceptable. This "new normal" creates a dangerous precedent where nonpartisan revulsion is replaced by partisan justification, eroding democratic standards for everyone.

The fatal ICE shooting in Minnesota is a symptom of extreme political division. People now view federal agencies as illegitimate, leading them to resist actions they disagree with, escalating situations to a level resembling civil conflict.

When moderate leaders respond to radical actions with tepid statements instead of decisive opposition, they grant tacit approval. Their lack of a strong reaction acts as a "weather vane for normies," signaling to average citizens that the behavior is acceptable.