White House Doubles Down After Sharing Altered Photo of Arrested Protester: 'The Memes Will Continue'

The White House acknowledged on Thursday that it altered and shared an image of a Minnesota protester after her arrest, framing the edited photo as part of its broader digital messaging strategy rather than an error or misstep.

The original photograph, posted earlier by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, showed civil rights activist Nekima Levy Armstrong looking ahead calmly as she was taken into custody during a demonstration at a church in St. Paul. The altered version, later circulated by the White House, made it appear as though Armstrong was crying.

Homeland Security Investigators and FBI agents arrested Nekima Levy Armstrong who played a key role in orchestrating the Church Riots in St. Paul, Minnesota. She is being charged with a federal crime under 18 USC 241. Religious freedom is the bedrock of the United States -… pic.twitter.com/LHh994fXf3

— Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) January 22, 2026

https://t.co/ACPZFX2m3x pic.twitter.com/MyvE9HkSRA

— The White House (@WhiteHouse) January 22, 2026

A senior White House official confirmed the image had been modified and described it as a "meme." The official pointed to a post by White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr, who wrote on social media: "Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue."

YET AGAIN to the people who feel the need to reflexively defend perpetrators of heinous crimes in our country I share with you this message:Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter. https://t.co/XPGE4PORHL

— Kaelan Dorr (@Kaelan47) January 22, 2026

Armstrong was arrested alongside Chauntyll Louisa Allen and William Kelly after protesters disrupted a church service to demand the resignation of pastor David Easterwood, whom organizers accuse of collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as NBC News reports. FBI Director Kash Patel said Armstrong would be charged under a federal law prohibiting physical obstruction of houses of worship.

Armstrong's attorney, Jordan Kushner, said she was detained for participating in a peaceful protest and argued that demonstrators were exercising free speech rights.

The incident comes amid escalating protests in Minnesota following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer. The federal government has increased its presence in the state since late last year as immigration enforcement operations expanded and allegations of fraud involving Somali-run daycare centers circulated online. President Donald Trump has suggested he could invoke the Insurrection Act in response to the unrest.

During a visit to Minneapolis, Vice President JD Vance warned that those who disrupt churches or assault former law enforcement officers would face prosecution, saying the federal government would use all available resources to pursue charges.

The altered image reflects a broader shift in the administration's communication strategy. Since the start of Trump's second term, official government accounts have increasingly used memes and AI-generated imagery to promote policy positions, particularly on immigration and law enforcement.

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