"What they are worried about here is that by posting something like, Watch out for the ice,' that it's gonna become an opportunity for a meme, for internet fodder, for public ridicule against the Department of Homeland Security, explained Cohen, mentioning heightening anti-ICE protests in Minnesota after the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an immigration officer."
"Part of the problem here, as I talked to agency officials about this, is they're saying, What we're talking about is ice and what we're talking about is saving lives,' continued Cohen. When you say freezing rain,' that makes me think, Oh, I'll put on a raincoat.' It doesn't make me think ice,' said Tapper. This is largely an ice event, clarified Cohen, emphasizing that a lot of states that I've talked to say they are expecting destructive ice causing widespread damage to power grids and roads. It is pretty remarkable that Homeland Security is saying, Please try to avoid using that word.'"
Homeland Security advised FEMA to avoid using the word 'ice' in public messaging about a major East Coast winter storm to prevent associations with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Agency officials reportedly asked for 'freezing rain' instead, fearing phrasing like 'watch out for the ice' could generate memes, internet ridicule, and heighten protests. FEMA and state agencies warn the event will produce destructive ice expected to damage power grids and roads across many states. Critics say avoiding the word 'ice' prioritizes concerns about public perception over clear life-saving warnings amid heightened anti-ICE tensions.
Read at www.mediaite.com
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