On the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. holiday Monday, Fresno Mayor Jerry did what few Republicans are willing to do.

He spoke the truth about the ICE goon squads roaming the country, terrorizing citizens — documented and undocumented — and shredding the Constitution.

“Goon squad” is my term — not Dyer’s — for President Trump’s poorly trained masked paramilitary legions who demand people’s papers and shepherd them off to detention centers.

Or, in the case of Renee Nicole Good, killing someone at the drop of a hat while videoing it on a cellphone to feed the social-media cravings of  Trump’s demented and, in many cases, sadistic  devotees.

‘Federal Agents Using Tactics That Have Shocked the Conscience of America’

Dyer was much kinder than me. He used the words of a professional cop, which he was for decades before becoming mayor. He also, without mentioning the president by name, spoke out strongly against Trump’s tactics.

“Dr. King said it would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment,” Dyer said in his speech. “A sense of urgency that still exists today as we find ourselves at a pivotal moment in our nation.

“Federal military personnel are law enforcement agents being deployed into cities across America — without being requested by local governments. Federal agents that are not trusted or respected by these communities but rather seen as occupying forces. From Los Angeles to Washington, D.C., to Minneapolis.

“Federal agents using tactics that have shocked the conscience of America. Tactics that were abandoned long ago by local and state law enforcement agencies.

“The presence of federal agents and the tactics being used have resulted in unnecessary confrontations and violent protests — fueled by anger and hatred. Confrontations that have caused people, including innocent children, to suffer serious injuries.

“This was not part of Dr. Martin Luther King’s dream for America.”

Meanwhile, Other Local Republicans Remain Subservient to Trump

Go back and read these powerful words again.

Now think about the Republican Trump brown-nosers in Congress, who do everything the president asks. Just like well-trained dogs eager for a treat and a pat on the head.

Then think about Republican Fresno County Supervisors Garry Bredefeld, Nathan Magsig, and Buddy Mendes.

They called a news conference recently to announce to the world that they stood with ICE. During the event, they said nary a word about ICE’s tactics or the fact that many agents are so poorly trained they needlessly endanger themselves and citizens.

As influential podcaster Joe Rogan, who supported Trump in the 2024 campaign, said: “Are we really going to be the Gestapo?'”

It’s a question that should be asked every day until Trump calls off his stormtroopers.

Local activists appropriately responded with a downtown rally protesting the remarks of Bredefeld et al. But it was Dyer who exposed them for what they are: Trump puppets lacking the courage to engage in self-retrospection for even a nanosecond.

Most important: A political agenda didn’t drive Dyer’s comments. He made his case based on the facts in evidence. And, as the Republican mayor of a large city, he did so at considerable risk to his political future.

The fact is, Dyer’s “One Fresno” mantra borrows from the vision and legacy of MLK. A mantra that repudiates the divide-and-conquer, spread-the-hate playbook of Trump and his acolytes.

King’s Words Resonate Today

Some Fresno progressives are dinging Dyer for telling MLK Day attendees to comply with ICE orders.

Not only are these progressives oblivious to the magnitude of Dyer’s speech, they are opposing MLK.

“If Dr. King were here today, I am confident that he would call for calm in America,” Dyer said. “For peace to be restored in our communities.

“King would want us to voice our concerns loudly and boldly, but to do so without violence.

“I am asking you to do the same.”

Amen.