President Donald Trump on Sunday night posted a potential name change to a key federal agency, seemingly for the sole purpose of trolling the media. Just one day after surviving another assassination attempt, Trump shared a post from a supporter urging him to change the name of U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement to National Immigration & Customs Enforcement. That would change the acronym from ICE to NICE, “so the media has to say NICE agents all day everyday,” the supporter wrote. “GREAT IDEA!!!” Trump wrote. “DO IT.”
Background of the Proposal
Versions of this proposal have been circulating as memes among Trump supporters for some time now, especially as the president faced criticism for the aggressive tactics used by ICE officers in immigration crackdowns. That’s led to protests against ICE and other federal agencies. During protests in Minneapolis earlier this year, federal agents shot and killed two U.S. citizens: Renee Good and Alex Pretti.
Critics Respond
Critics said a new name won’t change what they’ve done, and likely won’t change how most people refer to the agency. Many took to social media to express their skepticism. One user noted, “It’s so dystopian,” while another commented, “Trump is awake and he’s now demanding that ICE be renamed to NICE so the media has to say ‘NICE agents’ everyday. This is what the president is focused on. Very weird stuff.” Others pointed out that they would continue to call the agency ICE, regardless of the official name change. Some questioned the priority, asking how this would lower fuel prices, while others simply dismissed the idea with “Aye yi yi…” and “It won’t help.” One user predicted that the media would simply say “national ICE,” making the effort futile.
Related: Donald Trump, immigration and customs enforcement, Alex Pretti, Renee Good.
