Whenever tragedy involves ICE, the response from many politicians, activists, and commentators is immediate. They demand investigations, congressional hearings, institutional reform, and sometimes even the abolition of the agency itself. Their argument is simple: when government actions contribute to the loss of innocent life, government must answer.

On that principle, I agree.

What I reject is applying that principle only when it is politically convenient.

The same voices demanding investigations into ICE showed little interest in holding former Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas accountable for the policies that helped produce the worst border crisis in modern American history. Congress had an opportunity to examine whether years of deliberate policy decisions contributed to preventable deaths, criminal victimization, human trafficking, and unprecedented illegal immigration. Instead, accountability became subordinate to partisan loyalty.

That revealed a troubling double standard.

When the actions of an individual government employee contribute to a tragedy, entire agencies are placed under a microscope.

When the policies of elected officials contribute to years of foreseeable harm, accountability suddenly becomes "political."

Government power does not become less consequential because it is exercised through legislation or executive policy instead of a badge.

Illinois offers one of the clearest examples.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has consistently defended Illinois'........

© Townhall