A New York resident, David Streever, reported that federal authorities issued him a warning regarding an email he sent to the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Todd Lyons, after an ICE agent shot and killed U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis. Streever's lawyer stated that two officers visited Streever's home while he was in Finland, delivering a notice that his email was considered threatening. In the email, Streever criticized Lyons, calling him a 'monstrous human being' and expressing his outrage over the incident.
Streever's attorney, Adam Steinbaugh, argued that the email is protected speech under the First Amendment and does not constitute a legitimate threat. He emphasized that a true threat involves a serious intent to commit violence, which he claims is not present in Streever's email. Streever expressed surprise at the federal officers' visit, stating that he felt compelled to express his outrage through the email.
In a related incident, another New York resident, Paigelynne Gonyea, reported being confronted by federal officers regarding a social media post about the same ICE officer involved in Good's death. Gonyea believes her warning was a result of her post calling for the officer's indictment. The Department of Homeland Security stated that it investigates credible threats against its employees, including threats made online. Free speech advocates have criticized these actions as infringements on Americans' rights to privacy and free expression, with the ACLU stating that the First Amendment protects the right to criticize the government.