NOTE: VIDEOS AT THE END OF THE ARTICLE.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt issued a sharp rebuke of CNN following its coverage of ICEBlock, a controversial new mobile application that allows users to report and track the location of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in real time. Leavitt accused the network of promoting material that could endanger the lives of federal law enforcement agents and incite violence against them.
Speaking during a press briefing, Leavitt responded to a question from Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan, who referenced a Department of Homeland Security report citing a 500% increase in assaults on ICE personnel. Although Leavitt had not yet reviewed CNN’s segment on the app, she expressed deep concern over the network’s decision to give it a platform.
“Surely, it sounds like this would be an incitement of further violence against our ICE officers,” Leavitt stated. “There’s been a 500% increase in violence against ICE agents—law enforcement officers across the country—who are simply trying to do their jobs and remove public safety threats from our communities.”
Leavitt emphasized the importance of recognizing the sacrifices made by federal agents and urged members of the media to act responsibly when covering sensitive topics that could have real-world consequences.
She added, “Americans, including journalists at CNN—especially those living in cities where illegal immigrants were released under the previous administration—should be grateful for the work ICE is doing to keep our communities safe.”
Leavitt condemned any attempt to normalize or promote tools that can be used to harass or endanger law enforcement. She also suggested that broadcasting a segment about such an app, regardless of the disclaimers or context, sends a dangerous message.
In response to the backlash, CNN defended its reporting, stating that the segment was meant to inform the public about a newsworthy topic. A spokesperson said the network reached out to ICE for comment before publication and later updated the story with ICE’s official response.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons voiced strong opposition to the app, warning that it puts agents in danger. “ICEBlock basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs,” Lyons said. “Officers are already facing a massive increase in assaults.”
The app’s creator, Joshua Aaron, defended the platform by comparing modern deportation enforcement to historic injustices. He described ICEBlock as a tool for undocumented individuals to avoid encounters with immigration officers, though he acknowledged all sightings are user-submitted and cannot be independently verified.
The app includes some safeguards, such as automatic deletion of sightings after four hours, limiting user posts, and a built-in disclaimer that discourages any interference with law enforcement.
Still, the backlash has been swift and widespread. Critics from both political parties have voiced concerns about the risks ICEBlock poses to law enforcement, and whether media coverage of it amounts to tacit endorsement.
The White House has not yet announced if any formal action will be taken regarding the app or CNN’s coverage. For now, ICEBlock remains publicly available for download, while the controversy surrounding its promotion continues to escalate.
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