The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) removed a video featuring comedian Theo Von from its X account on Wednesday after the podcaster expressed dismay at his being featured in the post.
The video, a promotional hit for DHS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), was taken down after Von expressed his lack of consent for being used in the post and asked DHS to “take this down.”
“Yooo DHS i didnt approve to be used in this,” Von wrote in a Tuesday night post to X. “Please take this down and please keep me out of your ‘banger’ deportation videos.”
“When it comes to immigration my thoughts and heart are alot more nuanced than this video allows,” the comedian added in his post.
The video, posted on the DHS X account Tuesday, began with a clip of Von saying, “Heard you got deported dude…bye!”
The removed post showed images of ICE deportation efforts, including the text “2 Million in 250 Days,” as well as Trump’s comments from Tuesday at the United Nations, referring to illegal migrants, “They simply stopped coming—they’re not coming anymore.” The video ended with a plane taking off from a tarmac with the words “Leave Now.”
In subsequent post sent just a few minutes later, Von added to his comments, stating, “It’s crazy to me that they would think this is OK. What if someone attacks me tomorrow because they think I’m some final boss of deportatins [sic] or somethin.”
Von’s use of the term “banger” to describe DHS’ videos was likely made in reference to the department’s unorthodox posting history on social media over recent weeks.
DHS on Monday posted a video to X with the caption “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” in which ICE agents rounding up illegal immigrants are featured alongside Nintendo Pokémon’s Ash Ketchum — set to the tune of the Pokémon Theme. Along with the video, ICE also posted graphics of trading cards depicting illegal immigrants arrested by ICE for serious crimes — which appeared to resemble Pokémon cards.
Another series of photos featured World War II-style recruiting photos with the caption “Join ICE Now.”
A third series showcased the images of American history, with photos of the signing of the Constitution, a cavalryman holding up the first American flag, and a log cabin pioneer image.
Another video featured America’s natural landscapes under the caption “America—Remember What We’re Fighting For,” accompanied by the song “Climb Every Mountain.”
When asked for comment, DHS referred the Daily Caller News Foundation to a statement posted to X on Sept. 15 by DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
“ICE has received more than 150,000 applications from patriotic Americans who want to defend the homeland by removing the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens from the U.S. We have already issued more than 18,000 tentative job offers,” Noem stated in the post. “Americans are answering their country’s call to serve and help remove murderers, pedophiles, rapists, terrorists, and gang members from our country.”
DHS also referred the DCNF to its July 29 press release announcing the department’s “Defend the Homeland” campaign.
Theo Von’s team did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the DCNF.
All content created by the Daily Caller News Foundation, an independent and nonpartisan newswire service, is available without charge to any legitimate news publisher that can provide a large audience. All republished articles must include our logo, our reporter’s byline and their DCNF affiliation. For any questions about our guidelines or partnering with us, please contact [email protected].
