Trump DOJ Seeks Names of Social Media Users Critical of ICE

The Department of Justice pursued identifying information about social media users who criticized President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement crackdowns. U.S. Attorney and Trump ally Jeanine Pirro subpoenaed Reddit and X for names, addresses, and bank information of at least two users who opposed ICE actions. User attorneys’ records shared with Bloomberg indicate the request is part of a criminal investigation, without informing users of specific crimes. Users learned of the probe through the companies rather than direct DOJ notice. Lawyers suggested the investigation may involve allegations related to revealing a federal officer’s location data or perceived threats, while disputing that their clients committed crimes. Attorneys argued that seeking dissenters’ identities could function as intimidation even without charges. Users asked a federal judge to quash the subpoenas, and the judge is considering the request. Reddit stated it defends user anonymity and objects to overbroad requests that threaten civil rights.

"The Department of Justice is pursuing the names of social media users that critisized President Donald Trump's immigration enforcement crackdowns. U.S. Attorney and Trump ally Jeanine Pirro subpoenaed Reddit and X for the names, addresses, and bank information of at least two users who expressed opposition to ICE actions. Records from the users' attorneys, shared with Bloomberg, show that the request is part of a criminal investigation, though the users were not informed of any specific crimes that are the focus of the DOJ's efforts."

"The users were not alerted directly by the DOJ, but rather learned of the probe from the social media companies. Their lawyers believe the investigations could relate to allegations of revealing a federal officer's location data or other types of perceived threats, but dispute that their clients committed crimes, Bloomberg's report read. Even if no charges ultimately are filed, the attorneys contended in interviews that rooting out identities of dissenters is at the very least an intimidation tactic."

"The users have asked the subpoenas to be thrown out, a request that a federal judge is currently considering. The Department of Justice declined to comment on all aspects of the investigation. Neither DHS nor X responded to a request for comment. Reddit operates on the fundamental belief that privacy is a right, and we have a proven track record of vigorously defending our users' anonymity, a Reddit spokesperson said in a statement."

"We review every government inquiry for legal sufficiency and routinely object to requests that are overbroad or threaten civil rights. Lauren Regan, an attorney representing one user who made critical Reddit posts about ICE, first reported in April, said that the move was made in bad faith in an effort to identify her client. They started with an administrative summons, which does not indicate a criminal investigation, and then progressed to the grand jury subpoena, which does, she said"

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