investigate DOJ Threats Against ICEBlock App Developer, 1st Amendment Violations

Attorney General Bondi just pressured an iOS app developer and U.S. citizen to remove ICEBlock from the Apple App Store. Over a million Americans downloaded this app, which allowed users to report ICE agent sightings in their neighborhoods. The government claims it endangers officers, but the app only shared publicly visible information. Waze does the same for police checkpoints, and no one threatens Waze developers. Here’s what actually happened: In June, DOJ officials warned developer Joshua Aaron that they were “looking at him” and told him to “watch out.” That’s a direct threat from the U.S. government. Bondi then demanded Apple remove the app, and Apple complied within hours. The administration also threatened to prosecute CNN for reporting about ICEBlock. This is textbook prior restraint—the government cannot silence speech by threatening citizens and pressuring companies. Both parties should oppose this. Conservatives fought against tech censorship for years, and liberals defend civil liberties and press freedom. Nobody wins when the DOJ decides which apps Americans can download. Today, it’s an immigration app; tomorrow, it could be gun rights trackers or protest organizers. The precedent is dangerous regardless of your politics. I urge you to take three actions: hold hearings on DOJ pressure campaigns against tech companies and citizens, investigate threats made against developers exercising their constitutional rights, and introduce legislation requiring court orders before agencies can demand content removal. The First Amendment doesn’t have exceptions for apps the government dislikes.