A New Kind of Courage: Why Police Must Confront Federal Overreach.

Something extraordinary just happened in Minneapolis — something we have not seen from a major-city police chief in years. Chief of Police Brian O’Hara said publicly what many chiefs admit only in private: his officers will act when federal immigration agents cross legal, constitutional, or moral lines.

His stance comes as Minneapolis braces for sweeping federal action aimed at its large Somali community, the target of years of dehumanizing presidential rhetoric. Somali refugees have been called “dangerous,” “disgusting,” “a disaster for our cities,” accused of “not assimilating,” and even smeared as ISIS recruits who must be “cleaned out.” This language is not accidental; it is the foundation for the aggressive federal campaign now descending on Somali neighborhoods. When a president brands an entire community as criminal, he is not enforcing the law — he is licensing abuse.

In an era of masked ICE raids, secrecy, and fear, O’Hara’s refusal to stay silent is rare — and necessary. He is not the first chief to resist federal overreach (I was one who did during my tenure), but he is one of the first in this new era of paramilitary immigration enforcement to do so publicly and unapologetically. And that matters.

After three decades wearing a badge, I know this much: When federal power violates rights, local police are the last constitutional guardrail standing. This is the oath — not a political choice.

If police leaders step up now, as I have said here before, this could be their finest hour. But it requires action, not neutrality:

1. No participation in raids lacking warrants, transparency, or legal authority.
2. Intervene when any agency uses excessive force or violates rights.
3. Protect every resident, regardless of immigration status.

These are not radical principles. They are the minimum standard for policing in a constitutional democracy.

The crossroads is here. America’s police can step into their finest hour — or watch it pass them by.
History will remember who stood up — let it be our local police and sheriffs!