Trump Officials Slam ICEBlock as It Tops iPhone App Charts
Credit: App Store
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You didn’t need a crystal ball to know this story wasn’t over yet. Just days after its initial release, Joshua Aaron’s ICEBlock app has moved into the number three spot on Apple’s App Store “Top Chart” for free iOS apps. Yesterday, it was number one.
It still holds the number one spot for the most downloaded social media apps, ahead of Meta’s Threads (number two) and WhatsApp Messenger (number 3).
ICEBlock’s rise to popularity gained even more traction after denunciation from top officials in the Trump administration.
ICEBlock’s creator describes himself as “Proud Antifa” (short for anti-fascist), which likely isn’t gaining him any favor with the current administration. Kristi Noem, US Homeland Security Secretary, labeled ICEBlock an “obstruction of justice” in a critique of CNN’s initial coverage of the app. She later doubled down on her post, saying she’s exploring the possibility of prosecuting CNN for promoting illegal activity. Noem told reporters, “We’re working with the Department of Justice…because what they’re doing is actively encouraging people to avoid law enforcement activities and operations. We’re going to actually go after them and prosecute them.”
Trump’s “Border Czar,” Tom Homan, also shared his views on CNN’s coverage of ICEBlock, suggesting CNN may have crossed a legal line in interfering with law enforcement operations and endangering officers. Homan remarked, “I can’t believe we live in a world where the men and women in law enforcement are the bad guys. It’s already a dangerous job.”
Noem and Homan joined the list of top officials condemning the app, along with ICE director Todd Lyons and Attorney General Pam Bondi, as we reported earlier this week. Their comments followed those of White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who kicked off the Trump administration’s battle with CNN and ICEBlock. In Monday’s press briefing, Leavitt referenced a 500% increase in violence against ICE agents and law enforcement across the country.
ICEBlock warns users that it’s not to be used for violence or interfering with law enforcement. We’ll see if stories linking the two follow. Surely, this public conflict is far from over. Once again, technology and politics have collided. We’ll keep you posted.
