Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has faced backlash after sharing a video of an ICE raid set to a remix of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. The footage, posted on social media, shows the operation in Elgin, Illinois, which resulted in the arrest of five undocumented migrants and the wrongful detention of two US citizens.
The raid, dubbed 'Operation Midway Blintz', was part of the Trump administration's intensified immigration enforcement. The video depicts agents breaking down a door and detaining individuals, with Noem captioning it 'We will not back down'. Critics accused her of glamorising the operation and misusing the iconic song.
Joe Botello, a US citizen born in Texas, told the Chicago Tribune that agents entered his home at 6am without reading him his rights. He was asked how he spoke English so well. 'I'm just blessed that I'm still alive,' he said. The Department of Homeland Security denied any mistake, stating that US citizens were briefly held for safety reasons, which is standard protocol.
Noem, sometimes called 'ICE Barbie' for her tactical gear appearances, faced online criticism. One user wrote, 'What do you think the remaining members of Nirvana think of your bastardisation of their song?' Another said, 'I sincerely hope you will be held accountable in court for your illegal actions.'
