Why was ICE'S 'End of the Dark Age' video deleted on X? Complete controversy explained

The Department of Homeland Security (ICE) posted an arrest video, 'End of the Dark Age,' on their social media platforms, including X, Instagram, and Bluesky. They used a slowed-down version of MGMT's Little Dark Age as background music and captioned it:

"End of the Dark Age, beginning of the Golden Age. JOIN.ICE.GOV"

The video has been taken down from X, but remains on the other two platforms. The reason the video was removed from X is that it received a DMCA takedown request.

Although the audio on Instagram has been disabled, it is still available on Bluesky. The 'End of the Dark Age' video featured ICE agents arresting protestors in Portland, Oregon. It also featured a clip of Charlie Kirk's photo with a raised fist.

The main reason why the video was deleted, according to Gizmodo, is that the song has been used in multiple videos by neo-Nazis and white supremacists. A report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (2021) states that MGMT's Little Dark Age was:

"by far the most popular sound among extremist creators on TikTok."

It was often used in videos referring to American Nazi Party founder George Lincoln Rockwell and "esoteric nazism."

How did the Department of Homeland Security (ICE) respond to the 'End of the Dark Age' video?

According to Gizmodo, the DHS denied that the song choice was connected to any extremist intent. The DHS justified their usage of the song, saying that it is not just the neo-Nazi and the white supremacist groups who use the song, but it is popular on both political sides.

In a statement they shared with Gizmodo, they said:

"Just because you don't like something doesn't make it Nazi propaganda — this is bottom-barrel 'journalism.' MGMT’s ‘Little Dark Age’ is wildly popular on both sides of the political spectrum. Go outside, touch grass, and get a grip."

However, this is not the first time an ICE video has been asked to be taken down. Multiple similar incidents have happened in the past. The most recent DCMA takedown requests were for the usage of Jay-Z's Public Service Announcement and The Cure's Friday I'm In Love.

Additionally, it is not just songs and tracks ICE has used without permission. They also used a clip from Theo Von's podcast without him agreeing to it. He criticized the DHS for using his clip without his knowledge.

Another incident was the usage of The Pokémon Company's imagery and anime theme song in one of ICE's arrest videos. It was asked to be taken down.

Responding to the removal of ICE's 'End of the Dark Age' video, the Department of Homeland Security denied any extremist intent behind using MGMT's song, Little Dark Age. They claimed that the song is popular on both political sides. They criticized the backlash as exaggerated and dismissed it as poor journalism. However, this is not the first time ICE has faced copyright issues for using unauthorized music and other forms of media.

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