On Tuesday, President Donald Trump declared that an investigation will be initiated into CNN following the network’s broadcast of a segment that promoted a smartphone application aimed at notifying users about the activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)—potentially assisting individuals in evading detection by federal agents.
The segment, which aired on Monday, included correspondent Clare Duffy, who characterized the app as a humorous initiative by a tech entrepreneur to “alert” users without directly obstructing ICE operations.
Nevertheless, a short interview with the app’s creator, Joshua Aaron, swiftly incited outrage within the executive branch. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, White House border czar Tom Homan, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller criticized CNN, accusing the network of “openly aiding invaders and insurrectionists in undermining ICE.”
While speaking alongside Trump on Tuesday, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has commenced an investigation into the legality of the anti-ICE application. “Good idea,” Trump seemed to affirm after a reporter inquired if Noem concurred with Homan’s assertion that CNN should be “prosecuted” for its report.
“We are collaborating with the Department of Justice to determine if we can take legal action against them for that, as their actions are actively encouraging individuals to evade law enforcement activities and operations, and we will indeed pursue them and prosecute them… if feasible, because we believe their actions are unlawful,” Noem elaborated.
Trump was quick to remind the reporter that he continues to uphold his assertion that CNN broadcast a “false report” that minimized the effects of his bombing campaign on Iran’s nuclear enrichment initiatives. “They were providing completely false reports,” he claimed. “They may indeed face prosecution for that.”
Other members of Trump’s close circle made it clear that they plan to explore every legal option to terminate the app, which allows users to report the whereabouts of ICE agents, notifying others within a five-mile radius to avoid those areas.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi informed Fox News that her office is currently assessing the possibility of filing charges against the app’s creator, Aaron. “Our ICE agents, along with all of our federal agents collaborating on these task forces — our federal agents from the Justice Department could be at risk,” Bondi stated on Monday during her appearance on “Hannity.”
“He is sending a message to criminals regarding the locations of our federal officers. This is unacceptable. We are examining the situation, scrutinizing his actions, and he should be cautious, as this does not constitute protected speech. It poses a threat to the safety of our law enforcement personnel across the nation,” she further remarked.
