Mocking a minor who died in U.S. government custody. Threatening to throw “burritos” at Latina lawmakers. Portraying ー in a manufactured image ー Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez engaged in oral sex at a detention center.
That’s just some of the vulgar content uncovered on a secret Facebook group containing current and former Customs and Border Protection officers that critics say is evidence of pervasive sexism and racism within the federal enforcement agency.
News of the group’s existence, which was revealed by a ProPublica investigation on Monday, comes amid widespread outrage over how the government is approaching the treatment of migrants at the southern border, including the deaths of multiple people held in U.S. custody, the separation of children from their parents, and reports of inhumane conditions at detention centers.
“I’m concerned that perhaps nobody brought this to the attention of authorities within the border control or that supervisors didn’t act to shut it down earlier,” A.C. Thompson, the ProPublica reporter who broke the story, told Cheddar. “What we were seeing in the group was people talking about incredibly disparaging things regarding women, regarding migrants, regarding other folks.”
“It is concerning that it’s a group this big.” Thompson’s reporting found that the group has about 9,500 members, including those confirmed to be current or former border control officers.
“There are likely some private citizens who are in not in the border control, but we can’t say that for sure,” explained Thompson.
He said he found the group through screenshots sent by sources in the Border Patrol.
The agency, which says that abusive and derisive comments about race, gender, and national origin made on private social media violate its standards of conduct, has now begun an investigation.
“These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honor and integrity I see — and expect — from our agents day in and day out. Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable,” said CBP Chief Carla Provost in a written statement.
In a statement to Cheddar, a Facebook spokesperson said: “We want everyone using Facebook to feel safe. Our Community Standards apply across Facebook, including in secret Groups. We’re cooperating with federal authorities in their investigation."
Spokespeople for both Rep. Veronica Escobar, who was also discussed disparagingly in the Facebook group, and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez did not respond to a request for comment.
However, Escobar tweeted Monday, “We need greater transparency, oversight, and especially after the reports about the vile Facebook group, we need accountability. No person who has that much disdain for another human being — especially the most vulnerable among us — should have a gun or a badge.”
The ProPublica report was published as members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, including Escobar and Ocasio-Cortez, visited detention facilities on the border.
“What I think it may do is cause some soul-searching and some shake-up at the border control, and at the broader Customs and Border Patrol agency, and some discussion about what is the culture here,” said Thompson.
“A lot of it seems to be in response that sort of a sense that agents feel that they’ve been demonized. But instead of reacting professionally, they’re reacting in highly, highly offensive ways.”
Michael Avenatti, the attorney representing adult film star Stormy Daniels, says he's fighting to keep the case out in the open and will renew a motion to depose both the president and his lawyer, Michael Cohen.
The governor of Colorado, a state where marijuana is legal, told Cheddar the federal government's negative stance against cannabis has created uncertainty in the space. Gov. Hickenlooper says not only is that "bad for business," but also makes it hard for states to maintain a good relationship with Washington.
Stringer wants Facebook to bring in more independent directors and experts on data protection to provide more oversight at the company. As the comptroller, Stringer manages the city's public pension funds, which have close to $1 billion invested in Facebook.
Jennifer Palmieri, former director of communications for Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign, says women have to face the question of female ambition and motivation. "That's different than the questions people have for male candidates," she told Cheddar Monday.
The California billionaire says he isn't thinking that far ahead and is just focused on his "Need to Impeach" campaign going into the midterm elections in November.
For the full interview, [click here](https://cheddar.com/videos/the-man-behind-the-need-to-impeach-campaign).
The California billionaire says Trump "is a lawless president," which is why he's focusing his efforts on a "Need to Impeach" campaign. So far, more than 5 million people signed on, which Steyer says will add pressure on lawmakers to take the drastic step.
President Trump called out Amazon in an early morning tweet Thursday, saying he's concerned the company pays "little or no taxes." This follows reports that the president wants to go after Amazon. Immediately following these reports, Amazon stock tanked, losing billions of dollars in market cap. This is not the first time Trump has attacked Amazon.
Facebook is making changes to its data-sharing practices in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The social media company announced late Wednesday that it would stop sharing user information with third-party data firms. This strategy has been at the core of Facebook's business for the past few years.
Bryan Cranston, star of the hit show "Breaking Bad," joins us to talk about this new project. He's the co-creator of "The Dangerous Book for Boys," a new TV series which will stream on Amazon Prime. Fans won't see him on camera, but they will see actress Erinn Hayes. Cranston and Hayes tell us what to expect from the family-friendly show. It premieres on Amazon this Friday, March 30th.
Facebook is making changes to its data-sharing practices in the wake of the Cambridge Analytica scandal. The social media company announced late Wednesday that it would stop sharing user information with third-party data firms.
President Trump called out Amazon in an early morning tweet today, saying he's concerned the company pays "little or no taxes." This follows reports that the president wanted to go after Amazon.
Comedian Anthony Atamanuik guesses whether the president has taken to Twitter to discuss sandwiches and nipples. Atamanuik impersonates Trump for Comedy Central's "The President's Show."
The Congressman favors gun control rather than a full-blown repeal of the Constitutional Amendment, including controls on semi-automatic weapons and bump stocks. Early Tuesday, John Paul Stevens, a former Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, published an op-ed calling for a repeal of the Amendment.
