Rockwell Family Condemns DHS Over Unauthorized Use of His Paintings in Immigration Messaging

Overview

• In a USA Today op-ed, Norman Rockwell’s son, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren said DHS used his art without authorization and wrote he would be “devastated” to see it marshalled against immigrant communities and people of color.
• Since August, DHS social accounts on X, Instagram, and Facebook have paired Rockwell images with nationalist captions, including “Protect our American way of life,” “Protect your homeland and defend your culture,” and “Manifest Heroism.”
• Specific posts identified include an August 20 use of Salute the Flag, and two September 29 posts using Working on the Statue of Liberty with a USCIS recruitment link and a Calvin Coolidge quote, and And Daniel Boone Comes to Life on the Underwood Portable.
• DHS defended its messaging by pointing to an August news release and a spokesperson’s statement praising American history and heritage, even as critics characterize the posts as anti-immigrant.
• As of Tuesday afternoon, the Rockwell posts remained live, and the dispute follows earlier backlash to DHS reuse of other artworks, including pieces by Thomas Kinkade and John Gast, as well as complaints from public figures.