Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem vowed to take action against a man who posted a video on social media that incites violence against federal immigration officers.
“If you threaten or attempt to harm a law enforcement officer we will find you and prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law,” Noem
said on X in response to a now-deleted video on TikTok.
In the video, the user said those being targeted in the ongoing illegal immigration arrests “have a right” to shoot Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
“If ICE agents are trying to take you or your loved one, shoot them on sight,” the man said.
He justified the call for shooting ICE agents by saying that agents wearing masks in unmarked vehicles “could be anybody.”
The TikTok user went on to complain about ICE agents and deportations in general.
ICE has warned that assaulting its officers is a federal offense.
“You’re already here illegally and facing removal — do you really want to add assaulting a federal officer to the list? Bad move. We will prosecute,” the agency said in a March 30
statement on X.
Social media companies, including TikTok, have stated their commitment to enforcing policies to identify and remove content that promotes illegal activity or violence. The platform has acknowledged that online content promoting violence can lead to real-world harm, stating in its
Community Guidelines that it’s committed to bringing people together in a way that doesn’t lead to physical conflict.
“We do not allow any violent threats, promotion of violence, incitement to violence, or promotion of criminal activities that may harm people, animals, or property,” the guidelines state. “If there is a specific, credible, and imminent threat to human life or serious physical injury, we report it to relevant law enforcement authorities.”
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has also pledged prosecution against those who fail to cooperate with law enforcement.
The DOJ said in a
post on X: “Even the lowest level immigration offense, unlawful entry to the US, carries a serious penalty: up to 6 months in prison. Do it a second time and you’re facing up to 2 years in prison, and up to 20 years if you’ve committed crimes in the US and try to return after being removed.”
President Donald Trump has committed to enforcing the nation’s immigration laws, citing risks to national security and public safety. Trump signed an
executive order on his first day in office that directed federal agencies to take action to identify and remove illegal immigrants from the country, particularly those who were considered to pose a threat to Americans and the nation.
