Condemn the White House’s AI Fake Photo: Require Truth in Government

On January 22, 2026, the White House posted a digitally altered photograph of civil rights attorney Nekima Levy Armstrong being arrested in Minnesota. The original image, posted by Secretary Noem, showed Armstrong composed. The White House version added AI-generated tears streaming down her face. When it was recognized as fake, deputy communications director Kaelan Dorr called it a “meme” and said, “The memes will continue.” Vice President Vance reposted the false image. UC Berkeley digital forensics expert Hany Farid told CBS News this is “not the first time the White House has shared AI-manipulated content,” warning it makes it “increasingly more difficult for the public to trust anything they share.” This is state propaganda aimed at humiliating an American citizen. How do we teach our children to tell the truth from lies when the White House fabricates images of arrested Americans and boasts about it? I am asking you to publicly condemn this practice and introduce legislation requiring federal agencies to label or ban AI-altered images in official communications. This should not be controversial. Truth in government belongs to all of us.