The Trump administration faced criticism for misrepresenting the arrest of a well-known civil rights attorney involved in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at a church in Minnesota. The White House shared an altered image of Nekima Levy Armstrong appearing distressed, with her arms restrained, in front of a person wearing a badge.
However, it was revealed that the original photo showed Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression and the altered image was manipulated to exaggerate the situation. Detailed comparisons between the two images indicated manipulation, such as the consistent position of the badge and lighting.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Levy Armstrong’s arrest on social media, followed by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posting the original photo of Levy Armstrong. The White House later shared the manipulated image, which drew criticism for being misleading.
Jordan Kushner, Levy Armstrong’s attorney, refuted the administration’s portrayal of her arrest, stating that videos and photos released by them were altered. He emphasized that Levy Armstrong remained composed during the incident, denouncing the White House’s actions as defamation.
Amid the controversy, the White House’s Deputy Communications Director defended their stance on law enforcement. Levy Armstrong, along with others, was arrested after protesting at a church where an ICE official served as a pastor. The protest aimed to draw attention to recent events involving ICE and demand justice for a woman fatally shot by an ICE officer.
In a separate incident, a magistrate judge dismissed attempts by federal prosecutors to charge former CNN anchor Don Lemon in connection with the church protest. Lemon asserted he was present as a journalist, not a protester, and his attorney confirmed that his reporting was protected by the First Amendment.