Speaking to the Judiciary Committee, George Retes left everyone in the room completely shocked with his terrible story.
“My name is George Retes.
I’m here today not to bring up old pain, but as a veteran, a father, and a regular person who still believes in the promise of this country and the values that our flag stands for. I respect law enforcement. I respect the men and women who serve, but I also believe that holding people accountable isn’t the opposite of respect. It’s the base of it. On July 10th, 2025, I was stopped by ICE agents on my way to work. I want you to really understand what that moment was like.”
“Not because I’m looking for pity, but because it shows a problem in the law that needs to be fixed.
I was driving to my job as a security guard at a licensed farm in Camarillo, California. Federal immigration agents were blocking the road leading to the farm. I told them I was a U.S. citizen and a veteran, but that didn’t help. Agents broke my car window, sprayed tear gas and pepper spray into my car, and pulled me out. I was choking on the gas, couldn’t breathe, while officers gave conflicting orders, even after I followed their instructions.”
“They pinned me down, one on my back and another on my neck, even though my hands were already behind me.
I was first taken to a Navy base where agents collected my DNA, then taken to a detention center and held there for three days without being charged. No phone call, no lawyer, no medical care, even though my skin was burned from the chemicals. I wasn’t allowed to shower.”
The lawmakers present — especially the Democrats — were very angry.
“Our witnesses today have been, in some cases, abused, attacked, and mistreated by our own government,” said Rep. Garcia. “The Trump administration has told outright lies about their actions and how they interacted with others, which we’ve all heard from you. You’re all American citizens. This is all happening because of Donald Trump, Stephen Miller, Tom Homan, Kristi Noem, and their anti-immigrant and anti-American supporters!”
The treatment of American citizens by Trump’s thug-like agents is absolutely sickening, horrifying, and disgusting.
As soon as Democrats regain control of Congress, taking away all ICE funding and starting immediate legal actions must be the first step.
THIS CANNOT GO UNPUNISHED.
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