The White House shared an image on X depicting civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong as appearing to cry while she was arrested in Minnesota, an Associated Press fact check reported. The AP said the image was altered to make the moment appear more dramatic than the original photograph showed.
AP reported that the original photo surfaced earlier on X from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and that the version later shared by the White House presented Levy Armstrong with an emotional appearance rather than a neutral expression. The fact check described the altered image as a manipulation rather than a different moment captured by a camera.
According to AP’s timeline, Pam Bondi announced Levy Armstrong’s arrest on X at 9:28 a.m. EST on Thursday. AP said that at 10:21 a.m. EST, Noem posted the original photo, and that the White House then shared the manipulated image at 10:54 a.m. EST.
AP said the White House framed Levy Armstrong’s arrest in connection with a disruption at a Minnesota church, and it reported that Attorney Jordan Kushner, who represents Levy Armstrong, disputed the administration’s depiction of her emotional state. Kushner said the videos and photos circulated by the administration showing Levy Armstrong crying were manipulated images.
Kushner said, “She was completely calm and composed and rational. There was no one crying. So this is just outrageous defamation.” He also said that a video shot by Levy Armstrong’s husband would “dismantles what they claim” and that it would be released soon, according to AP.
Amid questions about the image, AP reported that Kaelan Dorr, a White House deputy communications director, wrote on X: “Enforcement of the law will continue. The memes will continue. Thank you for your attention to this matter.” AP also reported that Dorr’s post referenced “memes” in the exchange over the altered image.
AP said certain visual details were the same in both the original and manipulated versions, suggesting they were not simply photos taken at different times. The fact check reported that a badge worn by the person behind Levy Armstrong was in the same position in both images, and that lights shining through a curtain to the left of Levy Armstrong’s head also appeared in the same position.
AP said neither the White House nor Homeland Security immediately responded to requests for additional comment. The fact check’s findings focused on the relationship between the earlier photo and the later version shared by the White House on social media.
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