Activist Shares Arrest Video Amid Controversial White House Image

Tue Feb 03 2026 19:14:23 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong releases her arrest footage following a contentious social media post from the White House, stirring discussions on political narratives.

In a significant turn of events, Minnesota activist Nekima Levy Armstrong has released a video of her arrest during an anti-ICE protest, following the dissemination of a manipulated photo of her by the White House. The photo, published on social media, was criticized for misrepresenting her emotional state at the time of her arrest. Armstrong addressed concerns over political persecution and caution against manipulated narratives in a recent audio message.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Activist Nekima Levy Armstrong has released a personal video of her arrest during an anti-ICE protest at a church, responding to a manipulated image shared by the White House that misrepresented her emotional state at the moment. The image, which was posted on the White House's social media accounts, suggested she was 'crying' while being escorted by federal agents.

The photo was contrasted by another image shared by the Secretary of Homeland Security showing her with no visible emotion. Armstrong was arrested alongside other protestors for disrupting a church service where an ICE official also serves as a pastor.

Footage filmed by her husband illustrates that she was reasonably composed during the arrest, as she spoke to the agents about her experience. 'We have to put you in handcuffs,' one agent stated, prompting Armstrong to express concern over being recorded.

Armstrong's released audio message condemned the manipulation of her image, alleging that it was part of a broader agenda of political persecution by the Trump administration. 'You know that this is a significant abuse of power,' she stated during her conversation with the agents, emphasizing her resolve to speak out against what she terms as governmental tyranny.

The Department of Homeland Security has yet to issue a public response regarding the incident or the use of AI in manipulating imagery related to her arrest.