- Kristi Noem, DHS Under Fire for Sharing Doctored Video Targeting Black Teens
- The backlash grew after Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) publicly condemned the post
- Media analysts warn that such missteps can further erode public trust
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its secretary, Kristi Noem, are facing widespread criticism after sharing a doctored video that falsely portrayed a group of Black teenagers as threats to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that the video posted on the official DHS X (formerly Twitter) account, showed the teens in what appeared to be a confrontation with ICE agents.
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However, online users quickly traced the original footage, revealing it had been altered and taken out of context. The unedited clip reportedly depicted a harmless park scene unrelated to immigration or law enforcement.
The backlash grew after Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) publicly condemned the post, calling it an attempt to vilify innocent youths. “Kristi — delete this tweet or answer for it in Congress. You’re destroying these kids’ lives over a doctored video,” he said.
Civil rights advocates and social media users accused DHS of spreading misinformation and racial stereotyping, arguing that the agency’s post amplified fear and mistrust toward Black communities.
Advocacy groups have since demanded a formal apology and an internal review of DHS’s social media vetting process.
As of Monday, DHS had not issued an official statement addressing the controversy or clarified how the doctored clip was approved for publication. The incident has reignited concerns about government accountability, digital misinformation, and the use of AI-altered media in public communication.
Media analysts warn that such missteps can further erode public trust, especially when official channels circulate misleading or racially charged content.
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