UPDATE: Leaked internal messages reveal shocking instructions from President Donald Trump’s team to ICE officials, demanding they “flood the airwaves” with sensational propaganda videos, regardless of accuracy. These revelations, published by The Washington Post on October 3, 2023, showcase a disturbing shift in the communications strategy during Trump’s second term.
The investigation highlights how ICE’s communications unit transformed into an “influencer-style” propaganda machine, producing dramatic videos portraying migrants being chased and shackled. An alarming example from a recent operation in Los Angeles shows ICE’s social media account skyrocketing from just three posts to 38 within 11 hours, featuring mug shots and clips of individuals branded as “illegal aliens.”
The internal messages indicate that the agency’s public affairs team, described as “overworked,” prioritized sensationalism over factual reporting due to pressure from political appointees. Some officials expressed horror at this approach, while others appeared to revel in it. Staff were instructed to label arrestees as the “Worst of the Worst,” even in cases where subjects had no criminal records, seeking out “newsworthy” elements like an “egregious immigration history.”
In a particularly controversial request, Emily Covington, ICE’s assistant director for public affairs, inquired whether a deportation flight video could be edited to avoid showing “tons of females.” One producer confirmed they would adjust the footage accordingly. Disturbingly, officials admitted that videos were discarded if they did not align with the administration’s messaging.
The investigation also uncovered that ICE and its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), misused copyrighted music and imagery without permission in their propaganda efforts. At least five government videos were taken down after complaints from various artists and rights holders, including MGMT and Jay-Z. When concerns were raised about copyright violations, some officials dismissed them, including White House lawyers, according to a senior DHS official.
Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin defended the controversial tactics, claiming that the White House had granted ICE and DHS “autonomy to create content that is effectively reaching the American public.” However, this justification raises significant ethical questions about the use of sensationalism in immigration enforcement messaging.
As the agency ramped up its output, some staff members became increasingly uncomfortable with the tone and content of the messaging. In one instance, a video showed a bound protester in Portland being wheeled face down on a cart, set to the lyrics “they see me rollin’.” Another post referred to Illinois demonstrators as “imbecilic morons,” while a Halloween montage ominously warned of “no sanctuary for creatures & criminals of the night.”
Concerned about the potential repercussions, some federal prosecutors voiced worries that the inflammatory posts could negatively impact jury pools or raise allegations of bias. McLaughlin, however, claimed she was unaware of such concerns and suggested that any issues should be communicated directly to her rather than through the media.
The leaked chats also reveal the extreme lengths ICE staff went to satisfy Trump officials. In instances where professional video producers were unavailable, public affairs officers were dispatched to film operations, sometimes at great personal risk. One officer was injured after being struck by a rock during a raid, while another expressed discontent about being sent to dangerous scenes without adequate protective gear.
As these shocking details emerge, the implications for ICE’s credibility and the ethical standards of government communication are profound. Critics argue that the agency’s approach undermines trust in public institutions and risks inflaming tensions around immigration issues.
What happens next? As this story develops, the focus will likely shift to how these revelations affect public perception of ICE and its operations moving forward. Activists and legal experts are expected to call for accountability and transparency within the agency.
This breaking news story is already sparking conversations across social media platforms, with many urging for immediate changes to ICE’s communication strategies. As public scrutiny intensifies, the agency’s future actions will be closely monitored. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent issue.
