On Thursday, the Trump administration released a digitally altered image of Nekima Levy Armstrong, a prominent civil rights attorney, which depicted her emotional state inaccurately during her arrest at a protest in Minnesota.
The protest in question was an anti-immigration enforcement demonstration that interrupted a service at a local Minnesota church. The White House’s official X (formerly Twitter) page distributed a modified image that showed Levy Armstrong appearing tearful with her arms restrained behind her back, standing before an individual wearing a badge.
However, the image misrepresented the reality. The original photograph showed Levy Armstrong maintaining a neutral expression, and no visible signs of crying or distress as suggested by the altered image.
Attorney Jordan Kushner, representing Levy Armstrong and present during the arrest, confirmed that the official media circulated by the administration depicting Armstrong as crying had been manipulated. Kushner stated, "She was completely calm and composed and rational. There was no one crying. So this is just outrageous defamation."
He further revealed that video footage recorded by Levy Armstrong’s husband would soon be released and would demonstrably counter the administration’s claims regarding her emotional state during the arrest.
In response to increasing scrutiny over the validity of the image, White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr responded on X, addressing critics defending the individuals involved in the protest. Dorr stated, "Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Attorney General Pam Bondi initially announced Levy Armstrong’s arrest via an X post at 9:28 a.m. EST. Subsequently, at 10:21 a.m. EST, the Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the original photograph of Levy Armstrong also on X. Later, the White House shared the modified image at 10:54 a.m. EST.
Both the original and edited images share distinct details such as the placement of the badge on the person behind Levy Armstrong and the lighting shining through a curtain located near her head, indicating that the photos capture the same moment but the White House’s image was digitally altered to affect its emotional impact.
Attempts to obtain immediate comments from the White House and Homeland Security regarding the image alteration were not successful.
This incident occurred amid a broader legal and political context involving arrests linked to protests at a Minnesota church, where activists disrupted services involving an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official.
The controversy underscores the complexities around government communication strategies and the portrayal of law enforcement actions in politically sensitive situations.