Topline
The Department of Homeland Security has posted illustrations depicting the beauty of 1940s Washington, D.C., across multiple social media posts this week, drawing criticism from some who say the Trump administration is glorifying a pre-civil rights era United States.
The department made three posts this week depicting illustrations of Washington, D.C. fixtures in the 1940s: an image of the Capitol building in 1943, as well as Union Station and the Supreme Court building, both from unspecified years in the 1940s.
DHS accompanied each image with a caption: “American Exceptionalism begins in the nation’s capital,” it said alongside the image of the Supreme Court, and, “We Can Return,” it said on the Capitol building post.
The posts mark the department’s latest social media push as it tries to boost recruitment of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, and its fixation on D.C. comes as the Trump administration deploys National Guard troops to the nation’s capital to combat what President Donald Trump says is excessive crime.
Some social media users have criticized the department’s reverence for the 1940s, noting the period predated the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlawed segregation, as well as other landmark legislation and Supreme Court decisions that were key to the civil rights era.
Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., criticized Homeland Security’s post of the Capitol in 1943, replying with an image of a segregation sign: “‘We can return’ to 1943 says the White House,” Frost said. One X user also responded to the Capitol post, stating: “Choosing D.C. in 1943 to the moment you can "return" to is, well, a notable choice for very obvious historic reasons. (Hint: Segregation.),” garnerning 12,000 likes. Jill Filipovic, a journalist and author of several books on feminism, responded to the department’s Union Station post: “...it looks the same now? What was better about it in the 1940s? Black people weren't allowed inside?” Some posters, including Hamilton College sociology professor Daniel Chambliss, responded to DHS stating the images the department posted are paintings, not photographs, suggesting the paintings may not be completely accurate depictions of the buildings.
The department has turned to memes and other images that are reminiscent of wartime propaganda in its attempt to boost ICE recruitment. Some of the department’s latest posts are explicit callbacks to famous wartime posters, like images of Uncle Sam pointing at the viewer, stating: “America Needs You.” In a post last month, DHS modified a still from the film “E.T.,” adding text that says: “Even E.T. knew when it was time to GO HOME,” urging undocumented immigrants to leave the country. DHS also used a still from a “South Park” episode that slammed the administration’s ICE raids and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, captioning it with a link to the ICE recruitment webpage. The official White House social media accounts posted a video last month of ICE agents detaining immigrants set to the viral “nothing beats a Jet2 holiday” TikTok sound, which achieved popularity this summer and is typically used in videos of chaotic situations. “When ICE books you a one-way Jet2 holiday to deportation. ✈️???? Nothing beats it!” the White House captioned the post. DHS has also made posts using historic American artwork, which critics have accused of being a dogwhistle for racism. Last month, DHS posted an image of John Gast’s famous 1872 painting “American Progress,” which depicts a female personification of the United States expanding westward into land occupied by Native Americans, considered a symbol of manifest destiny. “A Heritage to be proud of, a Homeland worth Defending,” DHS captioned the image.
Some of the artists who have created images posted by DHS in recent months have disavowed the department’s use of their work. Jess Glynne, the British singer whose song “Hold My Hand” is featured in the viral Jet2 TikTok audio, said on Instagram the Trump administration’s post made her “sick” because her music is about “love, unity, and spreading positivity - never about division or hate.” The “South Park” creators, who have been highly critical of the Trump administration, traded insults with DHS on X: “Wait, so we ARE relevant? #eatabagofdicks,” the show’s X account responded to DHS after it posted a still from the show. The Kinkade Family Foundation responded to the department’s use of late artist Thomas Kinkade’s painting of a small town, “Morning Pledge,” in a July X post, stating the use of the artwork was “unauthorized” and the organization condemns the “sentiment expressed in the post and the deplorable actions that DHS continues to carry out.” Similarly, artist Morgan Weistling said he “DID NOT give the DHS permission to use my painting” in a post on his website, referring to the department’s use of his painting, “A Prayer for New Life,” which depicts a Western couple holding a baby in a wagon.
Painter Says DHS Stole and Retitled His Work for Social Post About ‘Homeland’s Heritage’ (ArtNews)
DHS has been creative with social media posts. Some artists and brands aren't happy (ABC News)