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The Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security is drawing criticism for its recruitment and promotional materials that critics say feature imagery reminiscent of white supremacist and neo-Nazi symbolism. These controversial social media posts have emerged as part of a broader effort to expand immigration enforcement under President Trump’s mass deportation strategy.
The Global Project Against Extremism and Hate has been monitoring DHS social media content and raised alarms about posts that have gained traction among far-right groups. According to the organization’s representative Wendy Via, extremist groups like the Proud Boys have embraced the agency’s messaging as validation of their views.
One particularly controversial video posted on the department’s X account featured a character known as Moon Man or “Mac Tonight,” accompanied by images of a younger Donald Trump and text declaring “LIFE AFTER ALL CRIMINAL ALIENS ARE DEPORTED” and “the future is bright.” The Anti-Defamation League has classified Moon Man as a hate symbol frequently used by white supremacist groups and movements.
Another DHS post depicted nine Black immigrants trapped in crystal formations—imagery that bears striking similarity to content shared by extremist groups including the Ohio chapter of the Proud Boys. On platforms like Telegram, where extremist groups often congregate, similar imagery shows political opponents being imprisoned in crystals with captions such as “We’re putting all the libtards in the crystals, boys.”
Earlier this month, DHS posted a recruitment video featuring footage of federal agents arresting ICE protesters in Oregon, set to MGMT’s “Little Dark Age”—a song that has been appropriated by neo-Nazi groups in recent years. The department removed the video after the band objected to the unauthorized use of their music in what they called “propaganda.”
Via expressed concern about the potential impact of such recruitment campaigns, telling The Daily Beast, “The danger is that this kind of campaign is going to attract people who have a probability of getting into this job for the wrong reasons.” The recruitment efforts come at a time when DHS, under the leadership of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, is already facing scrutiny for aggressive enforcement tactics.
Recent weeks have seen multiple controversial incidents involving ICE officers, including agents tackling a young mother at a Manhattan federal courthouse, using tear gas against Chicago neighborhood residents, and breaking car windows of suspected undocumented immigrants. Despite these controversies, President Trump defended ICE’s actions during a “60 Minutes” interview on Sunday, stating, “I think they haven’t gone far enough.”
The administration has ramped up hiring efforts for ICE, offering $50,000 sign-on bonuses and removing age restrictions to allow anyone 18 or older to join the agency. Officials maintain that Trump’s election victory gave him a mandate to implement the deportation policies that were central to his campaign.
This isn’t the first time DHS has faced accusations of using imagery associated with fascist regimes. Last week, the department released a security video featuring Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino in attire that many viewers compared to SS-era uniforms. The black trench coat, star collar pins, and slicked hair prompted widespread sharing of side-by-side comparisons with Nazi officers.
The video was posted the same day Bovino was ordered to attend daily court check-ins by U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis following accusations of unjustified tear gas use against protesters. California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted on social media, writing, “If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole, pause and watch this video. They aren’t even trying to hide who they are.”
When previously confronted with similar criticisms earlier this year, DHS dismissed concerns, telling CNN, “Calling everything you dislike ‘Nazi propaganda’ is tiresome.” The department has declined to comment specifically on the most recent controversies surrounding its social media content.
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5 Comments
I’m curious to know more about the specific details around these controversial recruitment posts. Were they deliberately crafted to appeal to fringe groups, or was it more of an oversight? Either way, it’s an issue that warrants further investigation.
You raise a fair point. It would be helpful to understand the intent and approval process behind these posts. Transparency is crucial when government agencies are accused of spreading hateful propaganda.
This is a concerning development, as the government should be working to unite and protect all citizens, not cater to the extremist fringes. I hope there are consequences for those responsible and that safeguards are put in place to prevent such incidents in the future.
This is quite concerning if the Trump administration is indeed using far-right imagery and symbols to recruit for ICE. We need to be vigilant against the normalization of extremist rhetoric, even in government messaging.
I agree, the use of hate symbols like Moon Man is deeply troubling and crosses a line. The government should be held accountable for propagating this kind of divisive, extremist content.