The White House shared a manipulated photograph of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong during her arrest at a Minnesota church, according to an Associated Press fact-check. The altered image showed her in tears; the original photograph, posted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, showed her with a neutral expression. Levy Armstrong was arrested for her role in an anti-immigration enforcement protest that disrupted a service at the church.
The image manipulation raises questions about how the Trump administration presented visual evidence to the public regarding law enforcement actions and whether altered photographs constitute accurate documentation of government conduct.
Timeline Shows Coordinated Posting of Image
Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Levy Armstrong’s arrest on X at 9:28 a.m. EST on Thursday. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted the original photograph at 10:21 a.m. EST—53 minutes later. The White House then posted the altered image at 10:54 a.m. EST.
The images moved swiftly through administration channels before the manipulation became apparent to fact-checkers and the public.
Attorney Disputes Image and Calls Out Defamation
Jordan Kushner, Levy Armstrong’s attorney, said he was present at her arrest and confirmed the image had been altered. “It is just so outrageous that the White House would make up stories about someone to try and discredit them,” Kushner said. “She was completely calm and composed and rational. There was no one crying. So this is just outrageous defamation.”
Kushner said video his client’s husband recorded would be released and would “dismantle what they claim” about her demeanor during the arrest.
AP Analysis Finds Identical Image Details
The Associated Press compared the original photograph posted by Noem and the altered version posted by the White House. Certain details appear in identical positions in both images, according to AP’s analysis, indicating they are not simply photographs taken at different moments.
The badge worn by a person in the background appears in the same position in both versions. The lights shining through the curtain to the left of Levy Armstrong’s head match in position and intensity.
White House Deputy Communications Director Kaelan Dorr responded to criticism on X, writing that law enforcement would continue and “the memes will continue.” Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for additional comment about the image manipulation.