Daisy Rockwell and the Rockwell family say the Department of Homeland Security repurposed several of Norman Rockwell’s paintings on social media in ways that contradict the artist’s anti-segregation values. The family cited posts using Santa at the Map (1939), Working on the Statue of Liberty (1946) and Salute the Flag (1971), and pointed to Rockwell’s 1964 civil-rights painting The Problem We All Live With as evidence of his stance against prejudice. A USA Today op-ed from the family called the use "shameful" and possibly unauthorized; DHS did not immediately comment.
Norman Rockwell’s Family Says DHS Misused His Paintings to Promote 'Segregationist' Messaging
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Norman Rockwell’s family has publicly condemned the Department of Homeland Security for repeatedly repurposing his paintings on social media to promote immigration-enforcement and patriotic recruitment messages the family says misrepresent the artist’s values.
A DHS post from December 18 using 'Santa at the Map' by Norman Rockwell. / Department of Homeland Security on Instagram
Family Objects
Daisy Rockwell, the artist’s granddaughter, told The Bulwark that the agency used Rockwell’s images "as though his work aligned with their values, i.e., promoting this segregationist vision of America." She said the family was "upset by this, because Norman Rockwell was really very clearly anti-segregationist."
A September 29 DHS X post using Rockwell's 'Working on the Statue of Liberty.' / Department of Homeland Security on X
"They used [the paintings]... as though his work aligned with their values, i.e., promoting this segregationist vision of America," Daisy Rockwell said.
Specific Posts Cited
The family pointed to several examples: earlier this month, DHS posted a photograph of Rockwell’s 1939 painting commonly known as Santa at the Map alongside a caption quoting Thomas Wolfe: "America. It is the only place where miracles not only happen, but where they happen all the time." In September, the agency added overlay text to Rockwell’s 1946 illustration Working on the Statue of Liberty, placing the phrases "Protect your homeland" and "Defend your culture" in the image as part of a recruitment call — accompanied by a caption attributed to Calvin Coolidge and the line "BECOME A HOMELAND DEFENDER TODAY." In August, DHS used Rockwell’s 1971 painting Salute the Flag to urge followers to "protect our American way of life."
An August 20 DHS post on Instagram using Norman Rockwell's 'Salute the Flag.' / Department of Homeland Security on Instagram
Rockwell’s Record and the Family Response
Norman Rockwell is widely known for his depictions of everyday American life, but he also created work that addressed social justice. The family highlighted his 1964 painting The Problem We All Live With, which portrays six-year-old Ruby Bridges being escorted by U.S. Marshals during school integration — a powerful statement against segregation.
Norman Rockwell working in his Stockbridge, Massachusetts studio, circa 1959. / Underwood Archives / Getty Images
Quoting her grandfather’s own words, the family pointed to Rockwell’s 1962 reflection: "I was born a White Protestant with some prejudices that I am continuously trying to eradicate. I am angry at unjust prejudices, in other people and in myself." Daisy Rockwell summarized the family’s view of his values by saying, provocatively, "Norman Rockwell was antifa."
Last month, an opinion piece in USA Today credited to "The Rockwell family" said the administration had "shamefully misused" his work and suggested the images were used without authorization. "If Norman Rockwell were alive today, he would be devastated to see that his own work has been marshalled for the cause of persecution toward immigrant communities and people of color," the family wrote, urging readers to uphold compassion, inclusiveness and justice — values they say reflect Rockwell’s legacy.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
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