"Who's behind the masks": Raskin seeks answers on Jan. 6 defendants hired by ICE
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Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) on Sept. 17, 2025 in D.C. Photo: Win McNamee/Getty Images
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) is demanding information on how many of the roughly 1,500 pardoned for Jan. 6-related offenses have since been hired by the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
Why it matters: Raskin's request — sent Tuesday to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem — comes amid mounting scrutiny of ICE tactics.
State of play: Raskin said in Tuesday's letter that DHS appears to be "courting" pardoned Jan. 6 participants, using what he described as white nationalist "dog whistles" in its recruiting for ICE agents, which "appear aimed at stirring members of extremist militias," including the Proud Boys, and Oath Keepers.
- "The American people deserve to know how many of these violent insurrectionists have been given guns and badges by this Administration," he said.
- Raskin noted that, unlike any other law enforcement agency or branches of the armed services, ICE agents are unique in wearing masks and removing names from their uniforms to conceal their identities.
- "Who is hiding behind these masks? How many of them were among the violent rioters who attacked the Capitol on January 6th and were convicted of their offenses?" Raskin said in the letter.
- He also requested all personal records (including pay and bonus information), documents, memos, and internal communications related to those Jan. 6 arrestees who were charged or investigated — as well as documents tied to the decision to allow federal law enforcement officers to wear face coverings while on duty.
Zoom in: "For the past year, these masked DHS agents and officers have terrorized communities, including more than 170 U.S. citizens who have been detained," he said, referencing the agent who shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis last week.
- Raskin suggested that the changes in DHS recruitment, including the elimination of the college degree requirement, relaxed vetting standards, and a $50,000 sign-on bonus, could simplify the application process for extremists.
- DHS announced in December that the agency more than doubled the number of ICE agents in one year, bringing the total to 22,000, and received more than 220,000 applications during its recruitment campaign.
The other side: "Rep. Raskin's letter is reckless, disgusting, and unhinged," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios. "He is deliberately undermining federal law enforcement for political theater."
- "What is dangerous is an elected official falsely casting federal law enforcement as villains while ICE officers are being targeted, threatened, and doxxed simply for doing their jobs."
- McLaughlin added that ICE officers wear face coverings to "protect themselves and their families from real-world threats fueled by thug activist intimidation campaigns," including online "lists" she said are being used to expose agents' identities.
- The Justice Department did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
What we're watching: Raskin has asked that DHS and DOJ produce all requested information no later than Jan. 26.
Go deeper: Trump again pardons Jan. 6 defendant, this time of illegal guns possession
