ICE plans $100 million 'wartime recruitment' push targeting gun shows, military fans for hires

[demmiblue]

Source: WaPo

Recruitment posters shared by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Department of Homeland Security on their social media channels appeared to mimic video games in their style and tone. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement ; Department of Homeland Security)

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials are planning to spend $100 million over a one-year period to recruit gun-rights supporters and military enthusiasts through online influencers and a geo-targeted advertising campaign, part of what the agency called a “wartime recruitment” strategy it said was critical to hiring thousands of new deportation officers nationwide, according to an internal document reviewed by The Washington Post.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2025/12/31/ice-wartime-recruitment-push/

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New: We got an internal ICE document revealing its 0 million ad plan to bring in 14,000 new hires: deals with "tactical" influencers; ads to gun & military buffs; and geo-targeting phones around NASCAR races and gun shows.

A "wartime recruitment" mode with paramilitary branding: wapo.st/44QrP5j

— Drew Harwell (@drewharwell.com) 2025-12-31T12:09:38.276Z

[Irish_Dem]

1. But we have no money for food, housing, medical care, housing, science, vaccines, etc.

[ananda]

10. And tell me how this is a "wartime" recruitment?

My only conclusion is that he considers normal anti-fascist
non-haters to be "domestic terrorists," so he's now making
war against all of us, here.

[Irish_Dem]

12. Trump is not hiding the fact he is waging war against the US.

The US is at war with its own people.

[Harker]

15. I suppose they figured "wartime" sounded better than "open season. "

[ananda]

16. That is true. Also,

do you think it gives him credibility and circumvents
the Constituion so that he can get the rightwing
courts on side?

[Harker]

17. I'm not sure they care much about the legal definitions.

They want to get cracking on raising and equipping the Republican Guard, or whatever they intend to call their paramilitary force.

[ananda]

18. But I think they do care about how it looks...

from a government and legal policy angle.

The optics on this are going to be so bad, that's why...

... even if they plan to circumvent every single safeguard
and legality written in the oath they have taken.

[GiqueCee]

21. They're Trump's private army...

... and both he and they, have no intention of leaving office... at all, no matter the outcome of any election. Assuming, of course, that he allows one at all. Roberts and the most corrupt Supreme Court majority in this nation's history will just say that his treason was "in the performance of his presidential duties", and dismiss the whole thing as a nothing-burger.
We thought 2025 was a nightmare? We ain't seen nuthin' yet.

[Harker]

23. Elmer's putting the old gang back together...

and assault rifles are okay in D.C. per Bondi.

[GiqueCee]

20. Not all that long ago...

... couple of years, maybe, I saw a video of some Republican shitbag's town hall with one attendee asking when they could start killing Democrats. He wasn't joking.
When they tell you who they are, believe them. They'll never show you a molecule of mercy, so don't afford them any either.

[bucolic_frolic]

2. The rise of vigilante justice

https://www.history.com/articles/origins-of-the-mafia

https://www.americanheritage.com/vigilante-justice

The above 2 sites are mostly a nationalist take on it, but there is also a homegrown, economic conditions point of view:

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11698-023-00272-1

[ChicagoTeamster]

3. military "fans" ? Like the people who cheer on our military during a war but never serve and ignore disabled veterans?

Like the Bros who yell at the TV screen and want to start a war in a bar over a football game but never played football? That sounds like the goons that we see with their faces covered tackling people in immigration court and knocking over bystanders even elderly. Real cops take care to avoid harming bystanders when they make a tactical arrest. Goons don't.

[Ray Bruns]

5. People like this.

[ChicagoTeamster]

8. They wouldn't fit in the clothes anyway. Or afford them.

[William Seger]

4. Gun nuts make the best jackboot thugs (nt)

[Firestorm49]

6. "Wartime recruitment", I guess that means against us, the American public. Lord, are we in trouble.

[liberalgunwilltravel]

7. Maybe if some of the current thugs

Were to face the "ultimate sacrifice" for their orange god, recruiting wouldn't be so easy.

[Bayard]

9. Don't use my American flag or the Statue of Liberty on those posters!

This shit is as far from American ideals as you can get.

When will they start the KKK back up? They'd work for free!

[Grins]

11. TV ad in Washington, DC, offers $70,000 signing bonus

I'm sure there are thresholds - but THAT'S A LOT OF MONEY!!!!

[erronis]

13. Just like putin opening up the prisons to supply more cannon fodder to his war machine.

Only putin wouldn't allow these armed convicts to come to his capital city to put down crime...

[lonely bird]

14. States need to record these actions

In order to take legal steps such as arresting agents for kidnapping, interfering with legal processes such as taking people out who had gone through the legal process and were set to become citizens.

[twodogsbarking]

19. Not unlike every other day a story that should be big news isn't even news.

[Rebl2]

22. Surprised

it hasn’t happened before now

[Brother Buzz]

24. "Join ICE" - Jesse Welles

[Aussie105]

25. Wartime?

You mean the undeclared, illegal war America has declared on itself?

ICE . . .
Incels
Cretins
Extremists

Hope their neighbors see and voice their disapproval.
Some late night tyre slashing, perhaps?

Doesn't do much for their future job prospects, does it?

Q: What was your last job?
A: ICE!
Q. What did you do?
A: Beat up people as I felt like it!
Q: Felt good?
A: Yeah!

Well, I don't think working in this childcare facility would suit you.
Try sanitation instead. (Shit working with shit, seems appropriate.)

[underpants]

26. Can they find people to pass physical requirements ?

So far they haven’t been able to.