Noem Under Fire for Sharing Misleading Video of Threats to ICE

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing scrutiny after her department’s official social media account shared a misleading TikTok video allegedly showing a group of Black youths threatening U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The video was posted on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official X account on March 3, 2023, and included a caption that read: “ICE We’re on the way. Word in the streets cartels put a $50k bounty on y’all.”

The video was criticized shortly after its release, as it was later revealed that it had originally been uploaded with a completely different context. Social media users discovered that the participants in the clip were jokingly threatening Iran, not U.S. federal agents. This revelation has raised significant questions about the authenticity of the content shared by the DHS.

In an interview with Fox and Friends earlier this month, Noem claimed that drug cartels were placing bounties on ICE agents, a statement that has drawn criticism from various political figures. The DHS post included a comment stating: “FAFO. If you threaten or lay hands on our law enforcement officers we will hunt you down and you will find out, really quick. We’ll see you cowards soon.”

California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell was among the first to respond critically to Noem’s post, calling on her to delete the tweet. He initially tweeted: “Kristi – DELETE THIS TWEET or answer for it in Congress. It’s FAKE. You’re the Queen of Photoshopping.” However, he later deleted this tweet.

Furthermore, Danny D Glover, a Democratic congressional candidate, shared a new TikTok video featuring one of the youths in the original clip. The young man explained his surprise at the controversy, stating: “I saw the caption and I was like, ‘I didn’t do that!’” He emphasized the absurdity of the situation, noting, “I’ve still got the video saved in my drafts on TikTok. Here’s the messed-up part: the federal government is involved with something that I didn’t do. What?”

The DHS has faced ongoing criticism for its social media practices under Noem’s leadership. The department has been accused of combining humor and aggressive messaging towards undocumented migrants, which some argue undermines its credibility. In one notable incident, the creators of the animated series South Park publicly criticized the DHS for attempting to use a still from a recent episode that satirizes ICE, the Trump administration, and Noem herself. Additionally, pop star Jess Glynn expressed her distress when her song was used in a DHS video concerning mass deportations.

Not only artists, but also various estates, including those of Woody Guthrie and Tom Petty, have lodged complaints about their music being appropriated by the DHS without permission. The department’s approach has been described as an attempt to bypass traditional media channels, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating: “The Department of Homeland Security is bypassing the mainstream media to give Americans the facts, debunk the lies, and unapologetically celebrate our homeland, heritage, and the rule of law.”

As the fallout from this incident continues, the DHS has faced mounting pressure to address the concerns surrounding its social media presence and the implications of sharing misleading content. The Independent has reached out to the DHS for further comment regarding the situation.