URGENT UPDATE: Leaked internal messages from the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveal that President Donald Trump‘s administration directed officials to produce sensational propaganda videos depicting migrants in distress. The shocking revelations come from an investigation published today by The Washington Post, exposing a disturbing shift in ICE’s communications strategy.
The internal chats show that Trump aides demanded ICE officials to “flood the airwaves” with dramatic footage, even if it did not accurately represent real events. This directive appears to have transformed ICE’s public communications unit into an “influencer-style” propaganda machine during Trump’s second term.
In one instance, the agency’s social media output skyrocketed in Los Angeles from just three posts earlier in the day to an astonishing 38 posts in 11 hours. Videos and images of migrants being detained were shared widely, with officials prioritizing sensationalism over truth. One official referred to arrestees as the “Worst of the Worst,” even when they lacked criminal records, indicating a troubling trend toward sensationalizing immigration enforcement.
Messages also reveal that Emily Covington, ICE’s assistant director for public affairs, requested adjustments to deportation footage to avoid showing women, showcasing a troubling bias in the agency’s messaging. When concerns were raised about copyright violations from using music and imagery without permission, these warnings were reportedly dismissed by colleagues and even White House lawyers, leading to the removal of several government videos after receiving complaints from artists and rights holders, including MGMT and Jay-Z.
The investigation highlights how far ICE personnel went to comply with these directives, including sending public-affairs officers to volatile scenes to film arrests, sometimes resulting in injuries. One officer was hospitalized after being struck by a rock during a raid. ICE has since stated that they now provide protective gear for their communications staff, but the incidents raise questions about the safety and ethics of such operations.
The leaked chats also reveal a concerning tone within ICE’s communications, with posts likening demonstrators to “imbecilic morons” and sharing a video of a bound protester set to mocking music. These actions have raised alarms among federal prosecutors, who worry that such messaging could compromise jury pools or imply bias in immigration cases.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin defended the agency’s approach, asserting that the White House had granted ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the autonomy to create content aimed at reaching Americans effectively. However, her comments have been met with skepticism, as former DHS employees describe the environment as chaotic and out of control.
While the White House has faced criticism for its handling of ICE’s messaging, spokeswoman Abigail Jackson deflected blame, attributing the issues to “career DHS bureaucrats” and claiming that the administration was simply working to fulfill its promises on immigration enforcement.
As this story develops, the implications of these leaks raise significant questions about the intersection of politics and public communication within federal agencies. Observers are urged to keep an eye on how this controversy unfolds and what further actions might be taken in light of these alarming revelations.
Stay tuned for more updates as this situation evolves.
