Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was reportedly well loved by the community, students, parents and teachers. He’s well educated and a former Olympian. Here he is in a suit racing students for fun. It’s sweet.
So the Ministry of Truth got to work.
Sam Olson, described by the Associated Press as an “ICE enforcement and removal operations regional official”:
How this illegal alien was hired without work authorization, a final order of removal, and a prior weapons charge is beyond comprehension and should alarm the parents of that school district.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds in a press release:
The arrest on Friday of Des Moines Public Schools Superintendent Ian Roberts was shocking, particularly his attempt to evade authorities, and the loaded gun, knife, and large sum of cash found in his vehicle.
Rep. Ashley Hinson, who is running for US Senate, on her campaign X account:
ICE arrested the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, Ian Andre Roberts — an illegal alien from Guyana & active ICE fugitive with a deportation order since May 2024. When ICE caught him, agents found a loaded gun, a hunting knife, and $3,000 in cash.
Rep. Randy Feenstra on his campaign X account:
Thank you to ICE for detaining the Superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools — an illegal immigrant with a criminal record who was caught with a loaded gun and $3,000 in cash.
All of these people are rabid supporters of a broad interpretation of the Second Amendment, but in their mind Black people aren’t afforded that right. Now, throw in the mention of a “hunting” knife (Roberts was reportedly a hunter and it is nearly hunting season in Iowa) and cash — the only source for which is the ICE official’s statement — and you’ve got yourself A Narrative™ straight from the Scary Black Man Who Deserves Whatever He Gets Playbook.
The prolific use of the phrase “illegal alien” is a red flag that this trope is in play, of course. Journalists should be skeptical, and the public shouldn’t fall for the framing.
The rule of law includes the presumption of innocence and due process.