Well, it’s been another noisy week in Washington The fight over the budget is not a fight over the budget but is a fight over how far a government authority, namely ICE can go, and not just in shooting people on the street. We’ve all seen the video of the old Hmong man dragged from his home in his underwear in near zero-degree weather by ICE agents dressed like soldiers in Iraq, only to find out he is a US citizen.
Over the years the Supreme Court has chipped away at the Fourth Amendment which is supposed to protect us – ALL OF US – against unreasonable search and seizure. We oppose such policies in other autocratic governments. Oops! Did I write “other?”
Requiring a judicial warrant makes sense. How many of us want to have someone breaking down OUR doors? But, we say, oh, that won’t happen because, after all, so on and so forth. Really? How do YOU prove you’re a citizen? Remember, as John Donne wrote, the bell tolls for thee.
Prayer for the Day
Flashing before our eyes, images of armed masked men,
Breaking down doors and dragging people out;
Startled, we ask ourselves, O God, is this happening here,
Where we are supposed to be protected from such intrusion?
Hold us, O Lord, to our founding principles of liberty,
And let us not allow our freedoms to slip from us.
In the name of the One who is our strength,
Even Christ Jesus our Lord, Amen.
Thoughts for the Day
Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-New York) and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-New York) laid out their demands late Wednesday in a letter to Republicans, including barring immigration agents from wearing face masks and entering private property without a warrant from a judge.
Theodoric Meyer, The New York Times (2/6/2026)
It is arguably harder today in 2026 than at any other time in American history to sue federal officials for money damages if they violate your constitutional rights.
Harrison Stark, UWisconsin Law School
Incline your ear, O Lord, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.
Preserve my life, for I am devoted to you;
Save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;
Be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.
Psalm 86: 1-3