There’s a saying that when the purpose of a thing is unknown, abuse is inevitable. However, although knowing the exact purpose of a mace, an ICE agent sprayed it indiscriminately while causing a scene in Orange County, California. This incident is a reflection of what happens when authority is wielded without accountability.
A viral video posted on Reddit captured the chaotic scene, showing the officer spraying mace without regard for who it would affect. “Back the [expletive] off,” he bellowed as he moved from side to side, releasing the spray into the air almost rhythmically. The particular agent shouting the instructions was not the only one holding a mace while passerbys hurried along to safety. The person behind the camera was taken aback by what they were witnessing. “I can’t believe it!” they kept shouting.
Netizens shared the exact sentiment, questioning whether the aggressive display was even necessary to start with. “I thought those sprays were for self-defense. Not for setting up perimeters. Shame,” one wrote. “It’s because these goons have such terrible training, it actually makes them less trained than an untrained person,” another chimed in, pointing to the lack of discipline the agent displayed. A Redditor asked, “What is he even spraying at?” Are they so afraid of us now that they have a guy to spray pepper clouds for protection?” Another added, “Just tear gassing innocent bystanders? Can’t wait for all the trials and prosecutions of these modern-day brownshirts.”
The financial and moral implications of the agent’s agent did not go unnoticed by the public. One netizen pointed out, “I wonder how many millions of our tax dollars have been spent on these goons spraying into the air to intimidate observers.” Another one added sarcastically, “Really glad we’ve given the most unhinged losers in the world a whole bunch of guns.” A user said, “You know this fool wishes he could just shoot people (American citizens exercising their rights to observe and protest.) ICE and anyone who supports this behaviour is a traitor.” Another user pointed out, “There’s a kid standing there, too. This is so irresponsible.”
Some netizens turned to sarcasm. “Don’t make me come out with my leaf blower,” one jokingly wrote. “They should coordinate with Vector Control to help eradicate mosquitoes,” another said mockingly, referring to how the agent was spraying the mace. A second user echoed that sentiment, “At least make these [expletive] useful and replace the mace with mosquito repellent or something.” One netizen noted, “Money and authority. Hell of a drug.”
The scene playing out in Orange County, California, is among the unbridled abuse of power ICE continues to show across the country.
