No Tax Dollars for Trump’s DHS/ICE Fear-Based Ad Campaign

Trump’s administration is using taxpayer funds to push fear-driven propaganda, a move that experts warn undermines democratic governance. According to MSNBC (March 2025), Gov. Kristi Noem admitted Trump directed the Department of Homeland Security to fund an ad campaign designed to stoke fear about immigration. This is not about national security—it is about manipulating public perception for political gain. Researchers from the Brookings Institution have found that when governments use public funds for propaganda, it erodes trust in institutions and weakens democratic norms. Weaponizing taxpayer dollars for political messaging is a direct threat to fair elections and the integrity of government institutions. The misuse of federal agencies to promote Trump’s political agenda sets a dangerous precedent, much like the authoritarian tactics seen in regimes where state resources are used to suppress dissent and manipulate public opinion (New America, 2024). Congress and state leaders must immediately investigate this abuse and ensure that public funds serve the public interest—not Trump’s reelection campaign.