DHS does not deny strong-arming tourist into letting them into his phone, only that agents sent him home because of a meme

The story circulating online — first in Norwegian newspaper Nordlys and then picked up by British tabloids — claims that during Mikkelsen’s encounter with the Department of Homeland Security, agents took his phone and found a meme depicting Vance as a bloated, smooth, bald man staring off into the distance.

Mikkelsen claims that the officials threatened to fine him $5,000 or send him to prison for five years if he refused to provide them with his phone password. The tourist ultimately agreed to hand over his information, allowing agents to look through his phone.

The reports picked up enough steam in headlines and on social media to justify CBP putting out a statement denying parts of the story.

  • Headofthebored
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    6412 days ago

    The fact that meme bothers them is hilarious though. Imagine a protest at the Capitol with a huge crowd all carrying big signs with nothing but that meme on it. 😂

    • Null User Object
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      1312 days ago

      I don’t suppose anyone here has a link to a high(ish) resolution version of it? Asking for a friend.

    • @[email protected]
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      2612 days ago

      People keep writing words on posters like fascist can’t help but read something they see…

      Their brains aren’t even recognizing it’s text.

      But pictures of their leaders edited to exacerbate their worst physical features?

      That hits them where it hurts.

        • @[email protected]
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          110 days ago

          Maybe just copies of this image for “JD” “Vance” and that painting Denver that got Taco all pissed off…I’d love to see a protest outside the WH with nothing but those.

    • Frenchfryenjoyer (she/her)
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      26 days ago

      Not that I’d plan on going to the US any time soon but the thought of them checking my Lemmy profile because I have the JD Vance baby meme as my banner is just hilarious to me 😂 what if a bunch of planes just started flying around with a gigantic image of it?