Aesthetics of hate: ICE protests and images on the net

For weeks, federal officials from the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency in Minneapolis, Minnesota, have been cracking down on suspected illegal immigrants. During a controversial deportation operation, an ICE federal agent shot and killed a person on January 24, 2026. The death of Alex Jeffrey Pretti, a US citizen, sparked major protests against ICE operations in Minneapolis and other US cities.

Daniel Hornuff, professor at the Kunsthochschule Kassel, explains how current protest images against the US ICE authority have an effect on the internet, exacerbate emotions and shape political interpretations. In conversation with editor Lars Hendrik Beger, it becomes clear that images not only document, but also actively shape the aestheticization of hate and protest.

The interview can be listened to on Deutschlandfunk from 26.01.2026 and is available in the media library:
www.deutschlandfunk.de