Josh Schirard, director of law enforcement and private security at Byrna Technologies and a former Galveston police captain and SWAT commander, joined Chicago’s Morning Answer with Dan Proft to discuss the growing hostility toward federal immigration authorities and the broader climate facing law enforcement.
The conversation followed a string of violent incidents targeting ICE and CBP facilities, including the recent deadly shooting at the Dallas ICE center. Schirard said the attacks reflect a troubling shift over the past decade in which demonizing law enforcement has become socially acceptable. He noted that what once began as protests has escalated into direct violence, raising questions about whether organized networks are guiding and encouraging these actions.
Schirard pointed to online communities, campus organizations, and activist groups as potential sources of radicalization, warning that young adults are being influenced quickly and effectively during formative years. He compared the current wave of extremism to earlier periods of domestic unrest, where marginalized individuals were drawn into violent movements through promises of belonging and ideological justification.
Reflecting on his years in Galveston, Schirard emphasized the importance of collaboration between local police and federal agencies like ICE and CBP. He said that when law enforcement agencies share resources, information, and support, they create a “force multiplier” that protects communities. In his view, sanctuary policies that block such cooperation weaken public safety by isolating local departments from federal partners.
Schirard concluded that restoring respect for law enforcement requires addressing both the rhetoric that fuels hostility and the networks that enable radicalization. Without those steps, he warned, the attacks on officers and institutions are likely to continue escalating.