‘They’re afraid of memes, meanwhile lives are on the line’: DHS just banned FEMA from using one word during catastrophic winter storm

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has reportedly banned the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from using the word “ice” when talking about the massive winter storm hitting the country. This isn’t about being clear or accurate. DHS is worried that saying “ice,” the frozen water, will make people think badly of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE.

The government is concerned about how words might be connected in people’s minds. DHS staff reportedly want FEMA to say “freezing rain” instead of “ice” when discussing the dangerous weather. The main worry is about public image and avoiding jokes on the internet.

According to The Daily Beast, Correspondent Gabe Cohen explained, “What they are worried about here is that by posting something like ‘Watch out for the ice,’ it’s going to become an opportunity for a meme, for internet fodder, for public ridicule against the department.” This seems like a strange thing to focus on when public safety is at risk.

This storm threatens millions while the government worries about protecting its image

The winter storm is huge and currently threatens millions of Americans across about two-thirds of the country. At least 18 states have declared a state of emergency because of heavy snow, freezing rain, and extreme cold. The danger is very real.

Anchor Jake Tapper called the order “another incredibly idiotic story.” He said, “They’re afraid of memes, meanwhile lives are on the line.” It’s frustrating to see an agency care more about avoiding internet jokes than using the clearest language to warn people about dangerous conditions.

On June 15, 2025, President Trump ordered US Immigration and Customs Enforcement to begin what he called “the largest mass deportation operation in American history.” The goal was to keep communities “safe and free from illegal alien crime, conflict, and chaos.” Since then, federal agents have become a common sight in major cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.

This has created widespread fear, especially among immigrant families and families with mixed immigration status. Recent incidents have raised serious concerns, including ICE taking a young child from his driveway after school. The issue isn’t whether the government can enforce the law. It’s about how that enforcement affects daily life and whether people trust the system.

The fear of ICE has changed how certain people live. When a colleague warned a Georgetown University Law Center staff member that agents were expected throughout Washington DC, the advice was simple: “Stay home. Don’t go out.” This type of warning has become normal for many people, turning everyday life into something that needs careful planning. There have even been reports of agents removing a US citizen without proper clothing in freezing temperatures, raising questions about enforcement methods.