Cops HUNT Veteran Over Facebook Comment

Miami Beach police showed up at a veteran’s door to question her about a Facebook comment criticizing the mayor, sparking a debate about whether free speech still exists in America.

Story Highlights

Police visited Raquel Pacheco’s home on January 12, 2026, five days after she criticized Mayor Steven Meiner on Facebook
Detectives questioned the military veteran about her post calling out Meiner’s policies on Palestinians and LGBTQ issues
Police Chief Wayne Jones defended the visit as a precautionary safety measure amid antisemitism concerns
Pacheco hired an attorney and filed public records requests to uncover the origins of the police visit

When Social Media Criticism Triggers Police Visits

Raquel Pacheco never expected two Miami Beach detectives to knock on her door when she posted a critical comment about Mayor Steven Meiner. The military veteran and political activist had responded to Meiner’s Facebook post claiming Miami Beach as a “safe haven for everyone” by accusing him of calling for Palestinian deaths and failing to support the LGBTQ community. She ended her January 7th comment with clown emojis.

Five days later, detectives arrived at Pacheco’s home for what they described as a “consensual” conversation. The interaction, which Pacheco recorded, lasted only a few minutes. She questioned whether she was under criminal investigation and asserted her First Amendment rights. The officers left without incident, but the damage to the principle of free speech was already done.

Police Chief Defends Controversial Home Visit

Police Chief Wayne Jones issued a statement on January 16th defending his detectives’ actions. He characterized the visit as professional and precautionary, emphasizing that officers found no credible threats. Jones claimed the department was responding to concerns about antisemitism and threats against public officials, not investigating Pacheco’s political opinions.

The chief’s explanation raises troubling questions about police priorities. Rather than focusing on actual crimes, Miami Beach officers spent time questioning a citizen who exercised her constitutional right to criticize an elected official. This represents a fundamental misunderstanding of how free speech works in America. Citizens have an absolute right to criticize their government without fear of police intimidation.

Mayor’s Response Reveals Troubling Pattern

Mayor Meiner, who is Jewish and a strong supporter of Israel, initially posted about Miami Beach being a safer place for Jewish and Israeli businesses compared to New York City. When Pacheco challenged his claims, Meiner later defended the police visit as appropriate given what he called “inflammatory, false” statements. His support for police action against a critic suggests a thin skin for someone in elected office.

Meiner’s reaction demonstrates exactly why the First Amendment exists. Politicians who cannot handle criticism have no business serving in public office. The fact that he views critical Facebook comments as worthy of police attention reveals an authoritarian mindset incompatible with American democratic principles. Elected officials must expect and tolerate harsh criticism as part of their job.

Veteran Activist Fights Back Against Government Overreach

Pacheco refused to be intimidated by the police visit. The former candidate for city commission and Florida Senate hired an attorney and filed public records requests to determine who ordered the investigation. Her military background adds weight to her assertion that she fought for American freedoms that include criticizing government officials without fear of retaliation.

Her response represents the proper way to handle government overreach. Rather than backing down, Pacheco is using legal channels to expose potential abuse of police power. Her public records requests may reveal whether Mayor Meiner or his allies influenced the police decision to visit her home. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has documented this case as an example of potential government overreach.