Stephen Colbert floats masked ICE agents possibly getting shot in states with Stand Your Ground laws

“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert questioned whether “Stand Your Ground” laws put masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at risk of being shot during an interview with Rep.Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., on Thursday.As Democrats across the country continue to criticize the federal agency’s use of masks and civilian clothing, the liberal host questioned whether officers are being put in danger in “Stand Your Ground” states like Florida.Colbert said he was alarmed because, “it does feel like kidnapping, because, as you said, unmarked windowless vans will show up.

Men will get out wearing masks… no identifying patches, do not identify themselves.They don’t have badges.”“They grab people and put them in a van, in a state like Florida that has a ‘Stand Your Ground’ law and people can open carry,” he went on.

“It’s dangerous for those officers, not just for the people, because why wouldn’t you think that you were being attacked?”Despite Colbert’s claim, open carry is not legal in Florida.It is allowed under certain, limited circumstances, such as hunting or fishing.

In February 2025, however, Governor Ron DeSantis urged the legislature to support open carry.Earlier in the interview, Colbert asked Frost to clarify what he meant when he called the Trump administration’s last round of deportations a “taxpayer-funded kidnapping operation.”The Florida congressman argued that the “mass deportations” promised by President Donald Trump during his 2024 campaign could hardly be classified as deportations due to a lack of legal due process for those being deported.“There is no legal process for people,” he claimed.“We have ICE federal agents pulling up, terrorizing our communities, hopping out of unmarked vans, stealing — and yes, kidnapping people.

Not giving them their day in court and yes — human trafficking them to other nations, other countries around the entire world.”Frost also questioned why agents ...