We are demanding immediate accountability after a senior Department of Homeland Security attorney suggested agents should have “just started hitting” protesters in Los Angeles.

This statement, made by then-acting DHS General Counsel Joseph Mazzara in official emails, was not casual—it was guidance from someone responsible for upholding the law. It was also partially withheld from the public, raising serious concerns about transparency.

No matter our politics, this should alarm all of us. Federal officials cannot encourage violence. Agents are sworn to enforce the law, not ignore it. Words like these risk real harm—to civilians, to officers, and to public trust.

We call on the DHS Inspector General to open an immediate, independent investigation into Mazzara’s conduct. The Secretary of Homeland Security must release all related communications and take disciplinary action if any laws or policies were violated. Congress must also step in to ensure full oversight and accountability.

This is about something bigger than one email. It’s about whether those in power are held to the same standards as everyone else.

If this goes unchecked, it sets a dangerous precedent.

Sign now to demand transparency, accountability, and action.