The next time you see a video of a horrific violent act by a police officer, or read of a shocking scandal in law enforcement, you may find yourself asking how this keeps happening despite repeated cycles of protest and promises of change. When that moment comes, remember the forced resignation this month of U.S. Customs and Border Protection head Chris Magnus.
Magnus’ dismissal is a glaring example of a long-standing pattern in this country, including in the Biden administration, of calling for broad changes to reduce law enforcement harm and ensure accountability but refusing to support those brought on to actually make that change.
That the CBP — particularly the Border Patrol — is in need of fundamental transformation is beyond doubt. CBP has been called the nation’s “most out-of-control law enforcement agency,” and a long list of racist, violent and generally felonious conduct amply supports that assessment.
