Fact Check: Uthmeier said if ICE officers feel they are being intimidated or threatened while in Florida, they now will be able to notify the Florida Highway Patrol, which will provide 'routine check ups and patrols.'

Fact Check: "Uthmeier said if ICE officers feel they are being intimidated or threatened while in Florida, they now will be able to notify the Florida Highway Patrol, which will provide 'routine check ups and patrols.'"

What We Know

During a recent news conference, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier stated that if ICE officers feel intimidated or threatened while in Florida, they can notify the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP), which will then provide "routine check ups and patrols" to ensure their safety (source-1, source-3). This announcement came amid heightened tensions surrounding protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activities, particularly in light of recent anti-ICE demonstrations nationwide.

Uthmeier emphasized that Florida is committed to protecting federal law enforcement officers, particularly those involved in immigration enforcement, who may be at risk due to public protests. He noted that the state has enacted measures to counteract intimidation tactics against these officers, including the provision of increased patrols by the FHP (source-2, source-6).

Analysis

The claim made by Uthmeier is corroborated by multiple sources, all of which report his statements regarding the notification process for ICE officers feeling threatened. The context of his remarks is crucial, as they were made in response to anticipated protests against ICE, which have seen varying levels of violence in other states (source-4).

The sources reporting on Uthmeier's statements appear to be credible, including major news outlets and official statements from the Florida Attorney General's office. The consistency across these reports strengthens the reliability of the information. For instance, the Tallahassee Democrat and WFLA both relay Uthmeier's comments directly, indicating a coordinated message from state officials regarding law enforcement's approach to protests.

However, it is important to note the broader implications of Uthmeier's statements. The aggressive posture taken by Florida officials, including threats of severe consequences for violent protests, has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations like the ACLU, which argue that such rhetoric could infringe on First Amendment rights (source-1). This context suggests that while Uthmeier's claim is factually accurate, it is part of a larger narrative regarding law enforcement's response to civil unrest in Florida.

Conclusion

The claim that "Uthmeier said if ICE officers feel they are being intimidated or threatened while in Florida, they now will be able to notify the Florida Highway Patrol, which will provide 'routine check ups and patrols'" is True. Uthmeier's statements are supported by multiple credible sources, and they reflect the state's proactive measures to protect federal law enforcement officers amid rising tensions surrounding immigration enforcement protests.

Sources

1. 'We will kill you': Florida sheriff warns protesters not to attack ...
2. Florida implementing new program protecting ICE agents
3. Florida officials warn ICE protesters: Violence could mean jail
4. Announces New Program to Protect Florida's Protectors
5. Florida officials warn ICE protesters: Violence could mean jail
6. 'We're not California': Florida officials pledge crackdown on ...
7. Jacksonville Sheriff's Office prepared for No Kings protests
8. Uthmeier Announces Initiative Protecting ICE Agents From ...