Border Patrol social media faces Homeland Security investigation

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan announced on Wednesday that he has directed an investigation into alleged "disturbing and inexcusable social media activity" by acting Border Patrol agents, saying that "any employee found to have compromised the public's trust in our law enforcement mission will be held accountable."

McAleenan's tweets announcing the probe comes after U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday that it is investigating a private Facebook group for current and former agents where users mocked the deaths of migrants and posted sexist and racist jokes about Latino members of Congress, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Democrat from New York.

"Reporting this week highlighted disturbing & inexcusable social media activity that allegedly includes active Border Patrol personnel. These statements are completely unacceptable, especially if made by those sworn to uphold the @DHSgov mission, our values & standards of conduct," McAleenan wrote on Twitter Wednesday.

Members ridiculed Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, for their planned visit to a Border Patrol facility outside El Paso. Users called the congresswomen "hoes" and "scum buckets," and one said agents should throw a "burrito at these bitches."

The story broke hours before Ocasio-Cortez arrived for the tour of the Texas facility on Monday. She said the Facebook page shows a deeper and more disturbing problem within the agency.

"This isn't about 'a few bad eggs.' This is a violent culture," she said on Twitter.

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/border-patrol-social-media-investigation-homeland-security-kevin-mcaleenan-today-2019-07-03/