On Tuesday, former President Donald Trump announced that federal authorities will investigate CNN after the network aired a segment about a smartphone app that alerts users to nearby U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. The segment, which aired Monday, featured tech entrepreneur Joshua Aaron and was described as a tongue-in-cheek effort to raise awareness of ICE operations without directly interfering with them.
The report sparked immediate outrage from Trump administration officials. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, White House border advisor Tom Homan, and Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller accused CNN of helping individuals evade immigration enforcement. They alleged the network was promoting efforts that could hinder the work of federal agents tasked with upholding immigration law.
Standing beside Trump, Secretary Noem confirmed that the Department of Homeland Security, in collaboration with the Department of Justice, has launched an investigation into the app and CNN’s segment. She stated that legal options are being considered against the network, adding, “We’re going to actually go after them and prosecute them… if we can,” for what she characterized as encouraging obstruction of justice.
President Trump also seized the moment to reiterate his belief that CNN has consistently misled the public, referencing what he claimed were “false reports” downplaying the effects of his military actions on Iran’s nuclear program. He suggested that the network could face legal consequences not only for the app segment but also for what he views as long-standing media misinformation.
Attorney General Pam Bondi further fueled the administration’s stance, saying her office is reviewing whether to bring charges against app creator Joshua Aaron. Appearing on Fox News, she warned that the app could endanger federal agents by revealing their locations. “That is not protected speech,” Bondi said, “and we are looking at it very seriously.”
