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ProPublicaonBluesky17h ago
Experts say it’s highly unusual for the White House to tell agents to give up custody of potential evidence in an investigation, as it did with the Tates.
“I’ve never heard of anything like that in my 30 years working,” an ex-DHS official said.
(Published Nov. 2025)
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Accuracy82%
Framing72%
Context80%
Tone50%
Analysis Summary
A White House official ordered DHS to return electronic devices seized from influencer Andrew Tate at the border in February 2026, according to records and interviews reviewed by ProPublica. The official, Paul Ingrassia, previously represented the Tates as a private lawyer before joining the White House as DHS liaison. Law enforcement experts — including a retired 30-year HSI veteran — said White House intervention to demand return of potential evidence in a federal investigation is unprecedented and appears designed to intimidate investigators. The incident fits a broader pattern of the Trump administration leveraging federal agencies to help political allies while DHS officials worry such pressure constrains their ability to follow normal procedures.
Claims Analysis (4)
“The White House intervened on behalf of Andrew Tate by telling DHS officials to return seized electronic devices”
ProPublica reviewed written request from Paul Ingrassia (White House DHS liaison) instructing return of devices. Corroborated by interviews with DHS officials and contemporaneous communications.
“Paul Ingrassia is a lawyer who previously represented the Tate brothers before joining the White House”
ProPublica confirmed Ingrassia's prior representation of Tates and current White House role as DHS liaison through interviews and records review.
“Law enforcement experts say White House intervention in seizures/evidence custody is highly unusual”
John F. Tobon (retired HSI assistant director with 30+ years experience) and Samuel Buell (Duke law professor, former federal prosecutor) both quoted directly confirming unusual nature of intervention.
“DHS officials expressed concern the intervention could interfere with federal investigation”
Anonymous DHS official quoted saying they feared interfering with investigation if they complied. Screenshots of contemporaneous communications referenced as source.
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