David Streever, from Rochester, New York, received a federal warning while on a trip to Finland. The warning related to an email he sent to Todd Lyons, the former acting director of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The email criticized Lyons following a fatal shooting of Renee Good during an anti-ICE demonstration. Streever’s email called Lyons a ‘monstrous human being’ and suggested he ‘will never know peace.’
The warning came the same week as another notice to Paigelynne Gonyea, a poll worker in Syracuse. She faced federal officers’ questioning at a voting location about a social media post related to the same shooting incident. Gonyea’s post included a picture of the ICE officer involved and called for his indictment.
Adam Steinbaugh, Streever’s lawyer, noted that federal agents tried contacting Streever at a New York City hotel upon his return from Finland. However, hotel staff turned them away. Steinbaugh argues that Streever’s email constitutes protected political speech. According to Steinbaugh, a true threat implies a serious intent to commit violence, which he claims was not present in Streever’s email.
Steinbaugh added, ‘This email didn’t even approach a true threat. It’s political speech and a petition to the government.’ Streever expressed that he was deeply upset by the events in Minnesota and wrote the email out of a sense of outrage.
Streever said, ‘Like many Americans, I felt compelled to do something after the shootings. A letter to ICE seemed like a minimal action to express anger.’
ICE declined to comment due to an ongoing investigation but affirmed that they investigate all credible threats to their employees. Lauren Bis from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated they will act against anyone who publishes an officer’s address online.
Free speech advocates argue these incidents exemplify federal overreach infringing on privacy and expression rights. Nathan Freed Wessler from the ACLU highlighted that criticism of government officials is constitutionally protected. ‘No one should face federal retribution for expressing opposition to government actions,’ Wessler noted.
The New York Attorney General’s Office is reviewing the federal interactions with both Streever and Gonyea. The office was informed of the events and is looking into potential implications for free speech.