Kristi Noem Under Fire for Posting ‘Fake’ Video of Black Men Threatening ICE Agents (Watch)
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is in serious trouble after her department’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted a controversial video that sparked outrage across the country. The post showed several young Black men with a caption that seemed to threaten people who challenge Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. It ended with the words “FAFO,” which stands for “F*** around and find out.”
At first, the post appeared to be a bold warning from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) — but within hours, online users discovered that the video had originally been posted online with a completely different caption aimed at Iran, not American citizens or law enforcement. This revelation led to widespread accusations that DHS had shared a fake, altered video to make a political point.
One of the first to call out the situation was Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California. He took to X, demanding answers directly from Noem. “Kristi — DELETE THIS TWEET or answer for it in Congress. It’s FAKE,” he wrote. He even accused Noem of “photoshopping” the video and “destroying these kids’ lives over a doctored clip.” His message quickly spread online, drawing both Democrats and Republicans into the debate over what appeared to be government manipulation of social media content.
The original post from DHS on Friday included a firm warning: “If you threaten or lay hands on our law enforcement officers we will hunt you down and you will find out, really quick. We’ll see you cowards soon.” It was meant to sound like a message of strength toward anyone who might attack ICE officers. But social media users quickly found the real version of the video — and it had nothing to do with immigration, crime, or the government.
The person who actually made the original video spoke out after seeing it misused. “I saw the caption and I was like, ‘I didn’t do that!’” he said in a reply shared by Democratic candidate Danny Glover. “I’ve still got the video saved in my drafts on TikTok. The messed-up part is that the federal government is involved in something I didn’t do.”
Reactions online were swift and harsh. “Cringe to see a government department tweet this like some internet kid chasing clout,” one user commented. Another wrote, “Purposely spreading a fake-captioned video to target our own citizens? This is an embarrassment to America.”
This isn’t the first time Kristi Noem’s leadership of DHS has been criticized for social media misuse. Under her direction, the department’s online accounts have often taken a sharp, combative tone — mixing serious law enforcement news with edgy memes and culture-war language. Supporters argue that Noem’s bold messaging keeps the public alert and shows strength, but critics say it’s unprofessional, divisive, and politically charged.
The scandal also brings back memories of an earlier controversy involving Noem. Earlier this year, she faced backlash for sharing a photo of an alleged MS-13 gang member that turned out to be fake. At the time, she claimed she had “no idea” the image was manipulated, but many saw it as another example of her office’s carelessness with truth online.
Now, with the “FAFO” video still up and the criticism growing louder, the situation is escalating. Representative Swalwell has warned that if Noem refuses to take it down or explain, Congress might demand answers under oath. The video has already been viewed millions of times, and it’s become a flashpoint in the broader debate about whether government agencies should act like social media influencers or stick to professionalism and verified facts.
As of Sunday, neither Noem nor the Department of Homeland Security had removed the post or issued a public correction. But with pressure mounting from lawmakers, the media, and the public, Noem may soon have to answer not just on social media — but in front of Congress.
