By Steve Neavling
ticklethewire.com
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is investigating a secret and offensive Facebook group reportedly used by current and former Border Patrol agents.
ProPublica, a nonprofit investigative news outlet, revealed the group, which included offensive content and demeaning posts that targeted undocumented immigrants and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
One of the posts included an illustration of President Trump pushing the congresswoman’s head toward his crotch. In another post, a member encouraged agents to toss a “burrito at these bitches,” referring to members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.
Commenters also questioned the authenticity of a viral photo of a drowned man and his younger daughter.
Ocasio-Cortez said the posts reflect “a violent culture.”
“This isn’t just about ‘a few bad eggs,'” Ocasio-Cortez tweeted. “This is a violent culture.”
Border Patrol chief Carla Provost slammed the social media page as “completely inappropriate.”
“These posts are completely inappropriate and contrary to the honor and integrity I see — and expect — from our agents day in and day out,” Provost said in a pubic statement. “Any employees found to have violated our standards of conduct will be held accountable.”
Matthew Klein, assistant commissioner of the Office of Professional Responsibility, cited CBP’s Standard of Conduct, which states, “Employees will not make abusive, derisive, profane, or harassing statements or gestures, or engage in any other conduct evidencing hatred or invidious prejudice to or about one person or group on account of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age or disability. This includes comments and posts made on private social media sites.”
“Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection was made aware of disturbing social media activity hosted on a private Facebook group that may include a number of CBP employees,” Klein said. “CBP immediately informed DHS Office of the Inspector General and initiated an investigation.”
This just broke: a secret Facebook group of 9,500 CBP officers discussed making a GoFundMe for officers to harm myself & Rep. Escobar during our visit to CBP facilities & mocked migrant deaths.
This isn’t about “a few bad eggs.” This is a violent culture. https://t.co/SkFwThHElx
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) July 1, 2019
