Bondi says DOJ considering going after app developer behind ICE tracking app

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi criticized a new app that allows users to track the movement of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, asserting the app would put agents in danger.

In an interview with Fox News’ Sean Hannity on Monday, Ms. Bondi added that the Department of Justice is “looking at” the developer of the app, Joshua Aaron, who appeared in a CNN report last week.

“He’s giving a message to criminals where our federal officers are, and he cannot do that. And we are looking at it, we are looking at him, and he better watch out, because that’s not a protected speech,” she said. “That is threatening the lives of our law enforcement officers throughout this country.”

The app, dubbed ICEBlock, gives anonymous users a platform to share the locations and general descriptions of immigration agents with other users. Mr. Aaron said he created the app to give users a way to “fight back” against President Trump’s immigration initiatives.

However, the app provides a clear disclaimer, warning users against attacking ICE agents or interfering with their operations.

“I have continually made it clear, both via wording in the app and through media, that this is an early warning system. In no way are we encouraging ICEBlock users to interfere with law enforcement,” Mr. Aaron told Newsweek.

Still, the app has drawn fierce condemnation from White House officials who say it will incite violence against ICE officers. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt pointed to the Department of Homeland Security report from last month that found agents had experienced a 500% increase in assaults this year.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noam added to the chorus attacking the app earlier this week, implying there may be legal consequences for Mr. Aaron.

“If you obstruct or assault our law enforcement, we will hunt you down and you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she wrote on X.

The legality of IceBlock is not clear-cut. While law enforcement officers are not entitled to privacy while performing their jobs, courts could find that the app puts officers at risk of violence.