Some public figures gain notoriety and rise to high positions even when their credibility is in question. Former President Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris readily come to mind. In the realm of television, long-time journalist and commentator Geraldo Rivera epitomizes this trend.
Recently, Rivera ignited a fierce backlash on social media when he critiqued Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents for wearing masks during their operations. His claim? That no one engaged in honorable work should need to conceal their identity. Rivera stated, “Re: ICE. No job requiring you to wear a mask can be honorable, unless you’re a scuba diver or have sleep apnea.”
On the surface, Rivera’s assertion is baffling. Poking fun at him, one user quipped, “Are the honorable sleep apnea jobs on Indeed?” The response illustrates the disconnect between Rivera’s statements and common sense. Critics quickly seized on the inconsistency of his view, particularly when juxtaposed with his previous support for mask mandates during the pandemic. “Wait, so to be perfectly clear – you’re now ANTI mask when you thought people should be banned from public spaces in 2020 if they didn’t have one?” asked another user. This inconsistency only compounds the mockery aimed at Rivera.
The ridicule didn’t stop there. Many pointed out the absurdity of his narrow definition of “honorable” work. Surgeons, nurses, and construction workers all don masks for valid reasons. Rivera’s dismissal of the necessity of masks for those in perilous occupations misses the broader context. “Stop it! People wear masks for protection! And you know it,” one user admonished Rivera, highlighting that masks serve as safeguards in various professions.
Importantly, ICE agents wear masks for their safety and that of their families. The threats they face, including those from drug cartels and radical groups, are very real. One critic remarked, “You do realize the cartels would love to target these officers and their families?” This underscores a fundamental truth: the lives of ICE agents are endangered because of their roles in enforcing immigration laws, particularly in a climate where demonizing law enforcement has become commonplace.
Rivera’s comments reflect an alarming trend of anti-ICE sentiment, escalated by adversaries of the previous administration. Politically motivated hostility toward these agents is reminiscent of the societal chaos seen during the anti-police protests in 2020. The stark difference now is that social media platforms like X, formerly Twitter, are open forums where criticism can flow freely, unimpeded by censorship.
With Elon Musk’s rebranding of the platform, individuals are now able to counteract misguided attacks and hold public figures accountable for their often reckless statements. Rivera, in posting his ill-considered remarks, has opened himself up to not just critique but rightful disdain as the backlash against his comments serves as a reminder of public sentiment. There is little room for him to evade the fallout from his words; the mockery and scrutiny are wholly deserved.
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