You didn’t want a crystal ball to know this story wasn’t over but. Simply days after its preliminary launch, Joshua Aaron’s ICEBlock app has moved into the quantity three spot on Apple’s App Retailer “Prime Chart” free of charge iOS apps. Yesterday, it was primary.
It nonetheless holds the primary spot for probably the most downloaded social media apps, forward of Meta’s Threads (quantity two) and WhatsApp Messenger (quantity 3).
ICEBlock’s rise to reputation gained much more traction after denunciation from prime officers within the Trump administration.
ICEBlock’s creator describes himself as “Proud Antifa” (brief for anti-fascist), which possible isn’t gaining him any favor with the present administration. Kristi Noem, US Homeland Safety Secretary, labeled ICEBlock an “obstruction of justice” in a critique of CNN’s preliminary protection of the app. She later doubled down on her publish, saying she’s exploring the potential for prosecuting CNN for selling criminal activity. Noem advised reporters, “We’re working with the Division of Justice…as a result of what they’re doing is actively encouraging individuals to keep away from regulation enforcement actions and operations. We’re going to really go after them and prosecute them.”
Trump’s “Border Czar,” Tom Homan, additionally shared his views on CNN’s protection of ICEBlock, suggesting CNN might have crossed a authorized line in interfering with regulation enforcement operations and endangering officers. Homan remarked, “I can’t imagine we dwell in a world the place the women and men in regulation enforcement are the unhealthy guys. It’s already a harmful job.”
Noem and Homan joined the checklist of prime officers condemning the app, together with ICE director Todd Lyons and Lawyer Normal Pam Bondi, as we reported earlier this week. Their feedback adopted these of White Home press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who kicked off the Trump administration’s battle with CNN and ICEBlock. In Monday’s press briefing, Leavitt referenced a 500% improve in violence towards ICE brokers and regulation enforcement throughout the nation.
ICEBlock warns customers that it’s not for use for violence or interfering with regulation enforcement. We’ll see if tales linking the 2 comply with. Certainly, this public battle is much from over. As soon as once more, expertise and politics have collided. We’ll maintain you posted.