The White House issued a sharp rebuke of CNN on Monday, after the network aired a segment highlighting ICEBlock, a controversial new app that allows users to track the movements of federal immigration officers in real time.
During a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded to questions from Daily Wire reporter Mary Margaret Olohan, who cited a 500% increase in assaults on ICE agents, according to recent Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data. Leavitt condemned CNN’s decision to give the app airtime, suggesting the network was “encouraging violence” against law enforcement officers.
BREAKING: Kristi Noem says they are working on charges against CNN for sharing the ICE tracker app.
GOOD!pic.twitter.com/kGAffaS19f
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) July 1, 2025
“Surely, it sounds like this would be an incitement of further violence against our ICE officers,” Leavitt said. “It’s unacceptable that a major network would promote such an app that is encouraging violence against law enforcement officers who are trying to keep our country safe.”
While Leavitt acknowledged she had not seen the full CNN segment, she noted the broader concern: law enforcement officers — particularly ICE agents — are increasingly under threat, and elevating tools that allow users to locate them in the field poses serious risks to their safety.
>> @CNNPR‘s response: “This is an app that is publicly available to any iPhone user who wants to download it. There is nothing illegal about reporting the existence of this or any other app, nor does such reporting constitute promotion or other endorsement of the app by CNN.” https://t.co/VLrXqOMZUb
— Brian Stelter (@brianstelter) July 1, 2025
The criticism comes as ICEBlock gains national attention. The app, developed by Joshua Aaron, alerts users to nearby ICE sightings, relying on anonymous crowd-sourced reports limited by radius, frequency, and time constraints. Aaron claimed the goal was to “help people avoid deportation efforts,” which he likened to the conditions of Nazi Germany — a comparison that has drawn widespread condemnation.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons responded forcefully, stating the app “basically paints a target on federal law enforcement officers’ backs” and noting the already staggering increase in violence targeting ICE personnel.
Before this gets insanely distorted: CNN wrote a news story about the mere *existence* of this app. Noem wants to prosecute a news organization for covering something newsworthy? https://t.co/HcYrme4PqN https://t.co/KGn3vkMWkY
— Paul Farhi (@farhip) July 1, 2025
CNN defended its reporting, emphasizing that the app is publicly available and that it included ICE’s response in its coverage. A spokesperson stated, “CNN reported on a publicly available app… and reached out to ICE for comment prior to publication.”
The segment featured an interview with Aaron, who claimed the app includes disclaimers advising users not to interfere with or confront law enforcement. However, critics argue that even passive tracking contributes to a hostile operating environment for ICE agents and could encourage targeting or ambushes, regardless of stated intent.
CNN is openly helping invaders and insurrectionists sabotage ICE. https://t.co/F2S4qgl65y
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) June 30, 2025
