Raskin Probes DOJ Over Alleged Pressure on Apple and Google to Remove ICE-Tracking Apps

House Judiciary Committee ranking member Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) has opened an inquiry into allegations that the Justice Department pressured Apple and Google to remove apps used to crowdsource sightings of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers.

What Raskin Asked For

In a letter obtained exclusively by POLITICO, Raskin demanded that the Department of Justice produce all records of communications with Apple and Google related to discussions about apps that aggregate or crowdsource reports of ICE activity. The request seeks to determine whether the department improperly influenced private companies to suppress these tools.

Political Context and Concerns

Raskin framed the removals as part of broader concerns over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and its handling of protests — citing the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good. In his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Raskin wrote that the alleged actions amounted to a "coercion and censorship campaign" targeting users of ICE-monitoring apps and suppressing evidence that could expose the administration’s conduct.

“The coercion and censorship campaign, which ultimately targets the users of ICE-monitoring applications, is a clear effort to silence this Administration’s critics and suppress any evidence that would expose the Administration’s lies, including its Orwellian attempts to cover up the murders of Renee and Alex,” Raskin wrote.

The Justice Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Potential Political Stakes

Attorney General Bondi could decline to comply with the records request, but Raskin’s inquiry could gain traction if Democrats reclaim the House in the midterm elections — a scenario in which Raskin is likely to become chair of the House Judiciary Committee.

Apps Removed and Developer Response

In October, Apple and Google removed the ICEBlock app from their stores after Attorney General Bondi said the app endangered officers. Both companies have since blocked other similar applications designed to aggregate and crowdsource reports of ICE sightings. Joshua Aaron, the developer of ICEBlock, told POLITICO he supports Raskin’s probe and described the reported pressure as an attempt to silence communications between citizens.

“The blatant jawboning that occurred under the direction of AG Bondi amounts to little more than the silencing of communications between the people,” Aaron said in a statement.

Raskin’s request for DOJ records aims to clarify the extent and nature of any government contact with the two tech companies and whether those contacts constituted improper influence over private platforms.