Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin publicly condemned an Emmy Awards acceptance-line by actress Hannah Einbinder that included the phrase "F--- ICE," saying the remark "fans the flames of hatred" and denigrates Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.
Einbinder, who won the Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a comedy series on Sept. 14 for her role on HBO Max’s "Hacks," closed her acceptance speech with the statement, which was bleeped during the CBS broadcast. In a statement to TMZ on Monday, McLaughlin said the comment was "ugly" and accused it of inspiring violence against ICE agents, whom she said are facing a "1,000% increase in assaults against them."
In remarks to reporters after the ceremony, Einbinder said she addressed Palestine because the issue is "very dear" to her. She said she has friends in Gaza working as frontline medical workers who provide care for pregnant women and children and help run schools in refugee camps. Einbinder added that, as a Jewish person, she felt obligated to distinguish Judaism from the state of Israel and described boycotting as a tool to pressure authorities.
Fox News Digital reported that it reached out to the Department of Homeland Security and representatives for HBO Max for additional comment. The network also said it sought comment from Einbinder’s representatives.
The Emmy program included other moments that touched on politics. Television Academy Board of Governors Chair Cris Abrego criticized the Trump administration’s decision to cut federal funding to PBS during his remarks and urged those in the industry to use storytelling to address divisions in the country. Host Nate Bargatze, by contrast, largely avoided political topics while emceeing the ceremony.
McLaughlin’s statement framed Einbinder’s words as an attack on law enforcement and a potential catalyst for violence. The DHS assistant secretary did not provide immediate public documentation supporting the numerical assault claim in her statement, which was first reported by Fox News.
Einbinder’s comments and the department’s response come amid a broader public debate over entertainers using awards stages to raise political and humanitarian concerns. Artists have periodically used high-profile platforms to call attention to issues ranging from war and human rights to domestic policy, prompting varied responses from political leaders, advocacy groups and the public.
The Television Academy’s messages about storytelling and responsibility echoed throughout the ceremony, reflecting tensions between artistic expression and the potential consequences of politically charged rhetoric. As the discussion continues in news coverage and among public officials, both Einbinder’s statement and the DHS response illustrate the competing perspectives on advocacy, free speech and the safety of law enforcement personnel.
