Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is letting would-be rioters and doxers know ahead of time that violence and intimidation against law enforcement will not be allowed in his state. The warning in Titusville on Thursday comes as violent riots continue in Los Angeles against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and other personnel.
“Florida is the anti-riot state, and unlike California, we support law enforcement,” Uthmeier said in a release. “Border Patrol and ICE agents enforcing immigration law deserve protection from leftists trying to harm them. If the left doxes these agents, we will have their backs. Whether you make the poor choice to riot or publish an agent’s personal information online to bring harm, you are committing a crime in Florida. We will find you and hold you accountable.”
According to the release, the initiative directs the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) to partner with federal law enforcement to protect ICE agents if their private information is "doxxed." A dox could be spreading an officer's address online with the intent to harass or harm them.
As part of his plan, Uthmeier specified agents would have a direct line of communication with FHP if their information is doxxed, including welfare checks on the agent's home and family to ensure their safety.
Uthmeier also announced that Florida is the first state in the nation to be assigned a 287(g) liaison officer by ICE. The initiative aims to strengthen the state's immigration efforts by providing a direct line of communication between ICE officers and state and local law enforcement.
With Los Angeles marked by civil disturbance, Uthmeier assured officers that any hints at violence toward them would not be tolerated in Florida.
"If you want to throw things at vehicles, rocks, or other objects, you are going to do time. If you want to light things on fire and put people in harm's way, you are going to do time. If you want to burn down businesses, if you want to wreak havoc and destruction in Florida, we have enhanced penalties to ensure you will do time," Uthmeier said.
