Of the two witnesses, hold the principal one

For the last five months, he watched ICE leadership
dismantle its training program.
What remains, he said, is a dangerous husk.

Nearly 250 fewer hours of training
than previous cohorts of recruits —
an assertion, a lie.

Cadets are not taught what it means
to be objectively reasonable,
the very standard the law requires
when deciding whether or not to use deadly force.

In the name of churning out producing
an endless stream of officers,
the academic and practical tests —
dismantled.

He was shown the secret memo on his first day.
Told to teach its contents
but not to take notes on it
or discuss its existence.

The lawyer before him had refused. He was given their desk.