The Department of Homeland Security made a short, sharp post on its X account that read in part: “FAFO. If you threaten or lay hands on our law enforcement officers we will locate you and you will know, really quick. We’ll catch up with you cowards soon.”
The tweet promptly elicited backlash from Democrats and other Twitter users who argued that the tone was menacing and the message appeared to be constructed based on a manipulated video. Rep. Eric Swalwell demanded Homeland Security “DELETE THIS TWEET or explain yourself in Congress,” calling the tweet “FAKE” and accusing officials of posting manipulated content.
Some X users and others cited what they said was the original video and accused a third party of stealing and editing it before posting it under the DHS account. One user posted a link to what they said was the unedited video on TikTok, saying the original background of the video was different and dated June 22.
TikTok (user-posted original video link):
The DHS post remains on the agency’s website as of the latest update and has been copied extensively and discussed on X and other sites. The language of the post — and suggestions that a doctored clip was manipulated for the purpose of justifying it — have heightened calls for congressional inquiry and for the agency to explain how the content was cleared to be published.
People have also utilized social media to find out where the original video came from and to ask for modified content to be taken down or fixed. Several users reported platform correction or takedown requests.
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