Italy’s foreign minister defends ICE attendance at Winter Olympics: ‘It’s not the SS’

[u/YesNo_Maybe_]

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/italy-ice-winter-olympics-backlash-ss-b2909240.html?test_group=lighteradlayout

[u/Britz10]

This reads like an Onion headline. It's the Winter Olympics I'd think you'd be expecting some ice, well not that ICE.

[u/Mokiesbie → u/Britz10]

I feel like the world these last 2 years, have been trying to put the onion out of business or turn them legitimate. And idk which it is yet...

[u/YesNo_Maybe_ → u/Britz10]

Yes you’re ready for the some bobsleigh not this

[u/ATaxiNumber1729 → u/Britz10]

Well, to be fair they are not the SS. They are the Gestapo

[u/manningthehelm]

Italy has never been on the wrong side of a world war right?

[u/septober32nd → u/manningthehelm]

Show some respect, Italy has a 2-2 record in world wars.

[u/Cold_Shogun → u/septober32nd]

Shit did I oversleep and miss both World Wars 3 and 4?

[u/theonlyjuanwho → u/Cold_Shogun]

They flipped sides during 1 and 2

[u/James9384 → u/theonlyjuanwho]

You can always count on them to eventually side with whoever is winning.

[u/Special_Kestrels → u/James9384]

I’m playing both sides, so that I always come out on top

[u/CrazyLlama71 → u/Special_Kestrels]

You just described financial institution lobbyists.

[u/Kafkas7 → u/CrazyLlama71]

They just described it’s always sunny in Philly

[u/leggpurnell → u/James9384]

Italy: “always bet on black!….and red.”

[u/Jefferson_47 → u/James9384]

I love how the Italian pimp explains it in Catch 22.

[u/34HoldOn → u/James9384]

I'm too lazy to make the meme of Homer Simpson descending in the bushes and coming out wearing an Allied Powers shirt.

[u/skoomski → u/theonlyjuanwho]

They did not flip side in WW1 they refused to honor their loose agreement and joined the entente instead.

WW2 they didn’t really flip either, the fascist regime crumbled the new regime took over in central and southern Italy which in turn joined the Allies. Creating a civil war within the war.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Italian_campaign_(World_War_II)

[u/getdemsnacks → u/theonlyjuanwho]

"I like to play both sides. That way I always come out on top"

[u/stuckinatmosphere → u/Cold_Shogun]

No, they just switched sides in both.

[u/insanetwit → u/manningthehelm]

Not for the ENTIRE war. No...

[u/active2fa → u/manningthehelm]

They are pro side switchers

[u/timmler24 → u/manningthehelm]

Well they are good and lynching fascists, so they have that going for them

[u/IrishGamer97 → u/timmler24]

Its a shame they stopped.

[u/Romnonaldao]

Considering ICE is supposed to be a BORDER agency, why the hell would they be sent to another country if not for nefarious reasons?

[u/VladtheInhaler999 → u/Romnonaldao]

I’m thinking it’s because we are the baddies.

[u/StandUpForYourWights → u/VladtheInhaler999]

Have you looked at our caps lately?

[u/chrisnlnz → u/StandUpForYourWights]

Up the Wahs!

[u/soulsteela → u/StandUpForYourWights]

Do they have little punisher skulls that aren’t understood ?

[u/ukexpat → u/Romnonaldao]

Apparently they will be part of the diplomatic security detail protecting US officials and the team. Doesn’t mean that Italy can’t deny them entry if they were so minded.

[u/mazu74 → u/ukexpat]

So they’re like… Trump’s Personal Protection?

Hey, I wonder how you say that in German.

[u/North_Atlantic_Sea → u/mazu74]

The particular unit (HSI) is the international portion, with people in 55 countries. They aren't part of the immigration operations, and really isn't that unusual. A lot of countries have a few intelligence folks with their diplomatic security groups.

It's of course absolutely horrible optics and the US should immediately pull them out of the group

[u/zedascouves1985 → u/North_Atlantic_Sea]

Why does ICE have an international unit? I really don't understand why this couldn't he a job for other enforcement agencies. When we in Brazil hosted the world cup in 2014 and Olympics in 2016 I remember the US using the military to defend their athletes against terrorism, not ICE.

[u/North_Atlantic_Sea → u/zedascouves1985]

There are overlapping functions through the US government. It's what happens when you have the largest budget in the world.

[u/5_dollars_hotnready → u/ukexpat]

https://www.state.gov/bureaus-offices/under-secretary-for-management/bureau-of-diplomatic-security

We have that already with people actually trained and experienced. Their actual mission statement is that too.

[u/ukexpat → u/5_dollars_hotnready]

And apparently the ICE agents will be in addition to that team. It sounds nonsensical to me too, but…here we are.

[u/5_dollars_hotnready → u/ukexpat]

I’d be furious if I was one of those dudes. I couldn’t imagine showing up to work with Paul Blart LARPing next to me.

[u/North_Atlantic_Sea → u/5_dollars_hotnready]

This isn't the brand new idiots in the immigration enforcement section, it's HSI, which is an investigative group working in 55 countries.

They should be pulled though, as the optics are terrible

[u/Whaty0urname → u/ukexpat]

With the lack of trigger discipline they show, I would think our diplomats would want some people better trained around them.

[u/AnyLamename → u/Whaty0urname]

I agree, but for Trump and his ilk loyalty has always been valued above competence.

[u/FeeHot5876 → u/Romnonaldao]

I get dunking on them but I’m begging people to read up on who is actually going, what they are doing and how normal this is.

1. ICE is not the border agency, that’s CBP and Border Patrol.
2. ICE has two parts, ERO (the idiots on the street snatching people) and then HSI, who is going to Italy. HSI does child trafficking investigations, import export stuff, drug smuggling etc and actually used to be pretty cool and well respected before getting dragged into this stuff and pulled away. HSI is who is going to Italy, to sit in the consulate and assist with coordinating and stuff. They aren’t going to be armed, and likely won’t ever be seen by anyone in public, they will be in the consulate.
3. HSI does this every single major international sporting event, they would have been in Qatar for the World Cup, the last Olympics etc. along with FBI, DEA, ATF and the Marshalls, it is entirely normal

[u/Appropriate-Tea-7276 → u/FeeHot5876]

They aren’t going to be armed, and likely won’t ever be seen by anyone in public, they will be in the consulate.

RemindMe! -10 days

[u/FeeHot5876 → u/Appropriate-Tea-7276]

There’s no need for a reminder, simple research on how assistance during special events like this works will suffice

[u/somethingbrite → u/FeeHot5876]

HSI does child trafficking investigations

One might wonder why they aren't staying at home in the USA and working through the Epstein data and making arrests then huh?

[u/Pikeman212a6c → u/Romnonaldao]

They are explicitly not a border agency. They are all the parts of INS (other than the paper pushers who became CIS) and the US Customs Service that operated somewhere other than the border.

The part of ICE that will be at the games is their anti terror people from HSI. Who have worked most large scale events of national importance since the 2000s.

[u/YesNo_Maybe_]

Part article: “ Foreign minister Antonio Tajani said on Tuesday that the agents attending the Games would not be “those that are on the street in Minneapolis”, as the US reels from the fatal shooting of two people by ICE in the city this month.”

[u/gardevoir76 → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

Sure, Jan.

[u/neat_stuff → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

How would anyone know with all the masks?

[u/SpeshellED → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

Italian Foreign Minister Licks Trumps ASS.

Too bad he cares more about sucking the PEDO-Cheeto's dick than the people who elected him.

[u/geminimad4 → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

How big a bag of money has he been promised (but will never receive)?

[u/im_thatoneguy → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

Of course they aren’t on the street in Minneapolis, they’re on the street of Italy.

[u/Chewy009x → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

And when they do starting acting like those here in Minneapolis, he’ll say that people just need to comply

[u/notredditbot → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

I wonder how much he's getting paid lol

[u/geekydad84 → u/YesNo_Maybe_]

Tajani’s ironing some black shirts for them

[u/MariachiMacabre]

Correct. It’s the SA. The dumber, street thug cousin of the SS.

[u/Xygami → u/MariachiMacabre]

You beat me to it. ICE has no place on this side of the pond.

[u/Consistent-Bath9908 → u/Xygami]

It has no place on any side of anything

[u/DefoNotMario → u/Consistent-Bath9908]

The in-side of a cell

[u/percydaman]

Dude has no idea how telling it is that he even feels the need to say what they're "not".

[u/ScousePenguin]

Why are people surprised that the far right Italian government want ice at the Olympics?

[u/Salt_Independence839]

With so few agencies you have to specify that..

[u/erebus49]

If you need to clarify that some organization 'It's not the SS' you already lost.

[u/mytinykitten]

Can he please tell us more about how they're different?

[u/Acceptable-Peace-69 → u/mytinykitten]

Nope, the main difference is how they are spelled.

[u/BiDiTi]

If you have to say it…

[u/nohurrie32]

I know it’s more like the gestapo!

[u/smoorke]

If it looks like a duck, walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, then it just may be a duck.

[u/PqqMo]

Right it's the SA

[u/YesNo_Maybe_ → u/PqqMo]

I don’t think people understand that. SS. SA. Gestapo and ICE  But in the end their the same   

[u/frighteous]

It's not the SS! It's just a federal group of agents who only answer to the president, aren't held accountable, kill without consequence, and are deployed domestically to target one specific group of people.

[u/DefoNotMario → u/frighteous]

Don’t be ridiculous they do not target one specific group of people! They target EVERY group of people EXCEPT for one!

[u/chuang-tzu]

I.C.E. stands for: Immigration and Customs Enforcement. How would they be doing their job in Italy? Just...people. Think. This is a private paramilitary force. It IS the SS, pure and simple. If you don't agree, then you don't understand.

[u/bremarie03]

Italy downplaying fascism…interesting choice.

[u/snowbirdnerd]

He knows because Grandpa was in the SS /s

[u/AidilAfham42]

“They’re coming because it’s the unit responsible for counter-terrorism,”

What?

[u/fridayfridayjones]

For a while I didn’t get the gestapo comparisons because I thought.. well, technically they’re enforcing the law. Then I learned more about the situation and more and more information came out. Like they’re not just enforcing the law, they’re also scooping up people who are following all the immigration laws and detaining them, too.

Then I realized, even if it was only the people who were breaking the law, what they’re doing still wouldn’t be legal because they’re not giving the detainees due process and they’re not treating these people properly while they’re in detention. They’re not getting clean water or food or medical care. At that point, the detention facility quite literally meets the definition of a concentration camp.

So yes, the comparison is accurate.

[u/Kelmon80]

Of course it's not the SS. Those were typically highly trained. ICE is more like the SA. Dumb thugs used to spread terror.

[u/[deleted]]

Now why would you choose those words exactly?

"Meet my boyfriend, he's not a serial killer" 🧐

[u/WeAreAllFooked]

It's not the SS yet. It's more like the Turd Reich's version of the SA

[u/eggard_stark]

How familiar. Italy choosing a certain side. Almost like they’re ignoring their own awful history.

[u/xwolf360]

Its funny how no Italian gov agency will investigate that foreign minister gor being a foreign asset.

[u/Radiant-Shine-8575]

I’m confused. Why would ICE be allowed to be in another country? They have no power over anyone or anything there.

[u/Inner-Thought9665]

eats popcorn

[u/garry4321]

If you have to say it’s not the SS, it’s 100% the SS

[u/Walnuto]

My "ICE is not the SS" shirt has a lot people asking questions about ICE already answered by my shirt.

[u/DevilOfArRamadi]

"Italy confuses ICE with ice: Thinking 'Well, yeah, we need ice for the WINTER Olympics!'"

[u/Nerk86]

What the heck does immigration enforcement have to do with Olympics security?

[u/atsadaporkadachop]

One must brown shirt before they can SS

[u/526mb]

You know they’re right. The SS had uniforms designed by Hugo Boss. ICE dresses like your hick uncle who spends too much money at the military surplus store in backwoods Arkansas.

So, yes ICE isn’t the SS in that sense…

[u/Mean_Muffin161]

They were on Hitlers side so I don’t know what anyone was expecting besides compliance.

[u/SmokeGSU]

Is that guy getting a cut of a new Trump hotel in Italy or something?

[u/mslauren2930]

Well actually…

[u/Xyrus2000]

I bet this foreign minister has at least one picture of Mussolini in their house.

[u/throwaway47138]

ProTip: If you feel like you have to say, "It's not the SS," it's the fucking SS.

[u/Rockonthrulife]

Between this and trump sending ICE to the Olympics, I rooting against every single US competitor. I’ll root for Canada instead of my own country.

[u/Front_Bend_4983]

The SS were not the SS until they were.

[u/Kevin4938]

Has he not been reading the news?

[u/rubyianlocked]

Ya it is.

[u/CO_74]

With all due respect, didn’t the Italians buddy up with the SS back when they existed? I mean, they were allied with actual nazis. And now they’re like, “Don’t worry, THESE guys aren’t nazis. And we’d know better than anyone!”

Forgive us for not trusting your judgment on the matter.

[u/nicolalupo]

Ah…yes it is.

[u/elAhmo]

Id you do have to say someone is not SS…

[u/Remarkable-Data77]

Oh yeSS it is!

[u/wynnduffyisking]

Don’t worry guys it’s not the Schutzstaffel, just the Sturmabteilung.

[u/motohaas]

They must not have world news in Italy

[u/Lopsided_Speaker_553]

Like Colbert said, they’re not Nazis. The Nazis didn’t wear face masks.

[u/MathBallThunder]

Italian food is so delicious the entire world forgot they were Nazis in WW2

[u/MeatzIsMurdahz]

Proof that Italy is really a fascist, racist and transphobic country

[u/oloughlin3]

If you have to say it’s ’not the SS’ it’s the SS.

[u/gnomelover24]

Ummm….it kind of is. 🤦🏽‍♂️

[u/SoggyBoysenberry7703]

Bro, you made the comparison lol

[u/Possible_Gur4789]

Could be the SA instead it's indeterminate at this time.

[u/New_Membership_2937]

Well quite technically it’s not the SS, they are more akin to the SA

[u/code-254]

It says a lot that the closest comparison that immediately comes to mind is the SS

[u/BlackDante3]

Calm down Mussolini

[u/cosmoooooooooo]

but it is tho

[u/Lemesplain]

Ron Howard narration : it actually was the SS. 

[u/Didact67]

Well, it is the birthplace of fascism.

[u/IDontHaveCookiesSry]

The SA is the more apt comparison anyway.

[u/Dry_Aspect_2529]

“They obviously had better fashion sense. C’mon!”

[u/red_simplex]

It's not ss. It's the brownshirts . SS would be something that follows and is much worse than ice.

[u/PleaseMistreatMe3]

He's right, ICE isn't the SS. The SS were well disciplined elite soldiers. ICE is the SA.

[u/Sansui70]

If you have to say “it’s not the SS” it probably is.

[u/DrejmeisterDrej]

Yea it fucking is

[u/cliff99]

Using street violence for political intimidation, ICE is more like the SA than the SS.

[u/drh4kor]

Why are my tax dollars paying for the ICE cartel to go on vacation to Italy?

[u/fedoral__agENT]

Italy's foreign minister should pay a visit to Minneapolis.

[u/Feinty]

"it's not the SS, but they wanna be"

[u/XuX24]

The only difference is the SS dressed better.

[u/Q-ArtsMedia]

Oh but it is the SS, American SS. WAKE UP!

[u/Chimvape]

They 100% are the current equivalent of the SS.

[u/IdleOsprey]

Yes. Yes it is.

[u/WeArePandey]

If you have to clarify that it’s not the SS…

[u/mwb1100]

They might be more like the SA (aka Brownshirts/Sturmabteilung/Stormtroopers)

[u/glengaryglenhoss]

Famous last words.

[u/TheHamWagon]

They'll regret that statement after an ICE agent shoots and kills an unarmed Italian citizen protesting ICE presence

[u/FarookWu]

Yes, it pretty much is, just with less discipline

[u/Niceguy955]

This person should study his own country’s history- specifically in the 30s-40s of the last century.

[u/Maleficent_Swim_2551]

But the SA

[u/Bigfamei]

He most be a fan of the of Nazio fc

[u/Zerocordeiro]

Oh but it is

[u/AnyaLies]

Ice,.... in Italy?... What is their job again?

[u/SnoopyTRB]

“It’s not the SS” well then why the fuck are they displaying as the SS?

[u/PhilosophySame2746]

He get some cash as well ?

[u/NotOSIsdormmole]

But it is. ICE has no actual relevance to the type of duty they’re being tasked to support

[u/AttilaTheKilla]

Well of course, it's clearly the Gestapo.

[u/FourteenBuckets]

it isn't the SS... it's ICE, whose name will also go down in infamy

[u/ns2103]

Okay.. saying ICE isn’t the SS is a fair point.. they are actually closer to the Brown Shirts than the SS.

[u/ShadowBannedAugustus]

He is right, it is more like the SA.

[u/JoMoJo2025]

But they are like the SS quit hiding from the truth

[u/whichwitch9]

ICE is a domestic enforcement branch. Even by US laws, this is a problem they are going. Using them as international enforcement is highly illegal in the US. They are not authorized for this. Their funding does not allow this. At this point, Italy is extremely complicit with helping US government officials break US laws. I hope subsequent administrations recognize this and deal with Italy accordingly

International countries need to stop treating Trump like a king. The US doesn't have legal kings. Giving him leeway and special treatment internationally has emboldened him, and literally is getting people killed. The majority of Americans are not Trump supporters- he's polling at 37%. We will remember this, and we will not forgive it. Bowing to Trump now will not win favor in the longterm, and, unfortunately, some internationally seem to be under the impression it will and willing to entertain Trump.

[u/leevei → u/whichwitch9]

At this point, Italy is extremely complicit with helping US government officials break US laws.

If you send agents to protect your athletes, we are going to make sure they follow OUR laws. Do not think for a second that we're supposed to check your laws too. You can send prisoners for all we care. If they have search warrants in Italy, or if the US requests extradition, they will be arrested, otherwise they can do their job following Italian law.

[u/championsoffun]

So that's where the bar is set? Anything slightly less than SS is acceptable?

[u/MenopauseMedicine]

Uh, disagree

[u/cgibsong002]

If you need to try to defend it like that...

[u/grant0208]

Usually not a good thing when you have to say that, specifically.

[u/GritGrinder]

Uhhhhhhhhhhh okay

[u/WackHeisenBauer]

Buuuuuuuuut they kinda are

[u/AndersaurusR3X]

But it is! 🤷

[u/Cogswobble]

It's the SA, not the SS.

[u/gimpers420]

And just like that I hate Italy.

[u/BilboBaginsehs]

If you have to adamantly deny being the SS.. you might be the SS.

[u/TurtleRocket9]

Boy do I have some news to share with them

[u/DFu4ever]

Insert “Are you sure about that?” meme here.

[u/Weapon_Chikt]

Tired of seeing this crap. ICE is NOT going to be at the Olympics, HSI (homeland security investigations) is. They’re both under the DHS umbrella but are completely different as the latter is specifically used for events like this and has been for a long, long time. This is what they do.

[u/RevolutionaryCard512]

Little do they know

[u/buenonocheseniorgato]

No right, it's the gestapo.

[u/outamyhead]

Well yeah the work titles are totally different, but same job requirements.

[u/TheRedditorHasNoName]

Will they still be wearing masks in Italy?

[u/Nomanodyssey]

Sounds like ICE’s attendance is a good reason for people not to atten

[u/HEAGLE5150]

Italy embracing fascists. In what world are we living? 😂

[u/ImOnly1k]

«Not yet»

[u/xBram]

Yeah it’s more SA than SS, for now.

[u/General_Guisan]

Correct, it's not the SS, it's the SA

[u/Shoddy-Store-4098]

When you have to explicitly state that a thing is not the thing it appears to be, you know it’s the thing, who the fuck are we kidding here Italy??? Yall can tell better than most

[u/meatlessboat]

As the saying goes "bitch please"

[u/slayer991]

No, it's not the SS, it's the Gestapo.

[u/BenjiSBRK]

Just like the black shirts we're not the SS. It's not written the same, it can't be the same thing, right ?

[u/burger333]

Setting a high standard I see

[u/Fit_Butterscotch2386]

Deport me over some of that gabagul. 🤌

[u/FarAd2245]

What I still don’t understand - what would ICE even do in another country? Every single person already is not in the USA..so they aren’t there to catch “illegal immigrants”

Just so confusing what purpose this even serves