Tom Homan, President Trump’s border Czar, criticized CNN over its reporting on a new app which allows users to track and try to avoid immigrations officials at a time of heightened Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across the country.
“It’s disgusting,” Homan said during an appearance on right-wing commentator Benny Johnson’s internet show. “I can’t believe we live in a world where the men and women in law enforcement are the bad guys. It’s already a dangerous job.”
Homan had been asked about a new app, called “ICEBlock,” which was created so people nearby could report sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in their area, CNN reported.
The move comes after ICE arrests in the Los Angeles area sparked protests across the country early last month, leading to the deployment of National Guard troops and Marines to the area by the Trump administration to quell the unrest.
The ICEBlock app’s creator, Joshua Aaron, told the network, “when I saw what was happening in this country, I wanted to do something to fight back.”
Homan has taken issue with CNN’s reporting on the app. He also seemed to suggest CNN was complicit in what he described as putting federal law enforcement in danger.
“This is horrendous that a national media outlet would be out there trying to forecast law enforcement operations,” he said. “I think DOJ needs to look at this, they’re crossing that line.”
“We need to send a strong message that we need to protect the law enforcement officers,” the border czar added.
Trump and his allies have blasted mainstream media coverage of his administration’s policies throughout his second term, and the president has threatened to have government regulators scrutinize broadcast outlets.
