Department of Homeland Security Account Sparks Controversy with Personal Attack on Cardi B
In an unprecedented departure from standard federal communication protocols, the official social media account of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched a direct personal attack against rapper Cardi B today. Retweeting a discussion involving the artist, the agency wrote, “As long as she doesn’t drug and rob our agents, we’ll consider that an improvement over her past behavior.”
The inflammatory comment references a resurfaced 2016 video in which the Grammy-winning artist admitted to drugging and robbing men during her time as a stripper in order to survive. While Cardi B has addressed the controversy in the past—stating that she is not proud of those actions but did what was necessary to make a living at the time—the admission has remained a frequent weapon used by her detractors. This specific exchange appears to have been precipitated by the rapper’s recent vocal criticisms regarding U.S. immigration policy and the conduct of border patrol agents, which seemingly provoked the retaliation from the agency’s official handle.
The tweet has drawn immediate and sharp criticism from ethics watchdogs and political commentators, who argue that the post violates the professional standards expected of a federal department. Critics contend that using a taxpayer-funded platform, meant for disseminating crucial safety information and national security updates, to engage in “internet trolling” of a private citizen is a misuse of government resources. Legal experts have pointed out that such rhetoric from a law enforcement agency could be perceived as intimidating or biased, potentially complicating public relations for the Department.
Historically, federal agencies strive to maintain a tone of neutrality and professionalism on social media platforms. While individual politicians frequently engage in spats with celebrities, it is highly irregular for an executive department itself to adopt such an aggressive and informal tone. As the post circulates, questions are mounting regarding whether the tweet was sanctioned by DHS leadership, the result of a rogue social media manager, or potentially a security breach of the account. The Department has not yet issued a retraction or clarification regarding the post.
