White House Faces Criticism Over Altered Image of Attorney's Arrest
The Trump administration has come under fire for sharing a manipulated image that misrepresents the arrest of prominent civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong in Minnesota. The incident occurred during an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a church service, sparking controversy over the administration's handling of the situation.
Manipulated Image Creates False Narrative
On Thursday, the White House official X account shared an image showing Levy Armstrong appearing to cry while being arrested, with her arms behind her back and standing before someone wearing a badge. However, this representation has been revealed as false. The original photograph, which depicts Levy Armstrong with a neutral expression, was altered to create a more dramatic and emotional scene than what actually occurred.
Jordan Kushner, attorney for Levy Armstrong, strongly condemned the administration's actions. "It is just so outrageous that the White House would make up stories about someone to try and discredit them," Kushner stated. "She was completely calm and composed and rational. There was no one crying. So this is just outrageous defamation."
Timeline of Events and Official Responses
The sequence of events unfolded rapidly across social media platforms:
- Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Levy Armstrong's arrest via X post at 9:28 a.m. EST
- Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the original, unaltered photograph at 10:21 a.m. EST
- The White House shared the manipulated version at 10:54 a.m. EST
Forensic analysis of both images reveals identical details that confirm they represent the same moment, not different times during the arrest. The badge worn by the person behind Levy Armstrong appears in precisely the same position in both photographs, and the lighting patterns through the curtain to her left are identical.
Administration Defends Actions Amid Growing Scrutiny
As questions mounted about the altered image, White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr responded on X Thursday afternoon with a defiant message: "YET AGAIN to the people who feel the need to reflexively defend perpetrators of heinous crimes in our country I share with you this message: Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Kushner countered these claims by referencing video evidence shot by Levy Armstrong's husband that he says "dismantles what they claim" about the arrest. He indicated this footage would be released publicly in the near future to provide further clarification about what actually transpired during the incident.
Neither the White House nor Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for additional comment regarding the altered image or the circumstances surrounding its publication. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between immigration enforcement efforts and civil rights protections in the United States.
