A U.S. citizen is taking legal action against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after federal officers stormed his home over an email he sent to the agency's former head. David Streever, while traveling in Finland, found his Rochester residence invaded by two officers who delivered a warning notice to his wife, claiming his email was deemed a threat.
This email, sent in January to Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE at the time, followed the fatal shooting of Minneapolis resident Renee Good by an immigration officer during an anti-ICE protest. Streever unleashed a tirade in which he labeled Lyons “a monstrous human being” destined to “never know peace.”
Streever's lawsuit, filed in Washington D.C., argues that his First Amendment rights were trampled upon. He is not alone; at least one other upstate New York resident received a similar federal warning in June after criticizing ICE online. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, based in Philadelphia, is backing Streever’s case, asserting that his free speech was clearly protected.
Adam Steinbaugh, an attorney with the foundation, stated, “This is very clearly within the protection of the First Amendment. It was in the context of political speech.”
ICE representatives have remained tight-lipped about the warning issued to Streever, citing an ongoing investigation. The agency did not provide immediate comments regarding the lawsuit. The suit also targets Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, whose office dismissed allegations that DHS is attempting to suppress free speech as “categorically FALSE.”
Mullin’s office declared, “Anyone who assaults or threatens our law enforcement officers will face the consequences.”
The email in question was a three-paragraph diatribe with the subject line “What’s next,” where Streever drew a chilling comparison to a Nazi leader: “You are a monstrous human being and will go down in history as America’s Reinhard Heydrich, the butcher.”
Streever continued with ominous predictions about Lyons’ downfall and personal torment: “The way you are protecting the obvious execution in Minnesota... will lead to your downfall. Even Trump will turn on you before the end, and you will be a sad, despised man who eats himself alive with shame at your own pathetic weakness.”
He concluded with a haunting message: “You will never know peace. You will seek to lose yourself... But wherever you go, you will find yourself. You will torment yourself until your last day on Earth.”
Upon returning from Finland, federal agents attempted to confront Streever at a hotel in New York City but were denied entry by hotel staff, according to Steinbaugh.
During the same week that Streever was targeted, another resident, Paigelynne Gonyea, faced federal scrutiny at a voting location during New York’s primaries due to her social media activity. Gonyea speculated that it was a “great day for Jonathan to be indicted,” referring to Jonathan Ross, the ICE officer involved in Good's death.
Lauren Bis from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security highlighted Gonyea’s post where she allegedly shared Ross’ address, although part of that post was redacted. Bis stated that Gonyea “committed a federal crime by posting the address of an ICE law enforcement officer online” and warned that those who doxx officers would face investigation and justice.
The New York Attorney General’s Office has acknowledged awareness of the interactions between Gonyea and federal agents and is currently reviewing the incident that occurred at the polls.
