Verified pro-Nazi X accounts flourish under Elon Musk
NBCApr 28, 2024
Report: ICE Attorney Linked to Alleged Racist Social Media Posts
story
Above: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) El Paso Processing Center is pictured in El Paso, Texas, on Feb. 13, 2025. Image copyright: Justin Hamel/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Facts
James Joseph Rodden, 44, an assistant chief counsel for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Dallas, Texas, has reportedly been identified as the operator of the "GlomarResponder" X account that has posted alleged racist and anti-immigrant content since 2012.
Journalist Steven Monacelli, writing for the Texas Observer, claims to have linked Rodden to the 17K-follower account by investigating biographical details, court records, social media posts, and direct observation of his activities in immigration court.
The account reportedly posted statements declaring "America is a White nation, founded by Whites," called migrants "criminals," and made references to potential violence against immigrants if "this level of invasion" is maintained.
The Spin
Left narrative
White supremacist ideologies thrive on Elon Musk’s X, where 150+ Premium accounts openly share Nazi propaganda, garnering millions of views. It's not surprising that this type of rhetoric is linked to the Trump administration, which has actively attacked minorities by trying to end DEI programs and birthright citizenship and has pardoned extremists like the Proud Boys.
Right narrative
While there are indeed some racist right-wingers online, they do not represent Gen Z’s organic nationalism, which is rooted in Christianity. As this fringe group of online personalities is seen as a major threat, it's worth noting that there are also voices in mainstream media and academia who promote divisive perspectives — ones that often conflate these two distinct groups and perpetuate the narrative that being white inherently equates to being racist.
