In response to the Trump administration’s display of 100 mugshots of arrested illegal immigrants on the White House lawn, MSNBC has advised its reporters to blur the faces of these individuals during broadcasts.
The display, intended to highlight Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests during President Trump’s first 100 days in office, has sparked controversy over journalistic ethics and the presumption of innocence.
Maria Teresa Kumar, President of Voto Latino Foundation and MSNBC guest, expressed concerns about the lack of due process for the individuals featured in the display. She urged journalists to blur the faces, stating, “We don’t know if, in fact, these individuals do have a rap sheet, so I would encourage those individuals that have that as a back shot to blur those people out.”
MSNBC host Jonathan Lemire echoed Kumar’s sentiments, warning reporters that the images would appear in the background during live broadcasts and advising caution in their coverage.
From a conservative standpoint, the Trump administration’s display serves a clear and legitimate purpose: to draw attention to the national security threat posed by unchecked illegal immigration. Highlighting the mugshots of individuals arrested for crimes while in the country unlawfully reinforces the argument that border enforcement is not only about legality, but about public safety.
Many conservatives also see MSNBC’s move as part of a broader media agenda to downplay the realities of illegal immigration. Rather than confront the dangers posed by open borders—including violent crime, drug trafficking, and human smuggling—left-leaning networks often focus on optics and emotion.
By advising journalists to blur the mugshots, critics say MSNBC is prioritizing political correctness over public accountability. The decision raises questions about whether the media is more concerned with shielding lawbreakers than informing the American people.
