A wave of satirical “Get Ready With Me” videos, specifically ‘GRWM as an ICE agent’ videos, has recently surged across TikTok, transforming a popular lifestyle format into a potent platform for political commentary. These viral skits, often dark and critical, directly address the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, reflecting a growing public backlash following contentious incidents like the fatal shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis.
The trend sees creators adopting the persona of an ICE agent, using the familiar GRWM structure to deliver biting critiques rather than beauty tips. Comedians like Adam Macias lead this movement, with his video beginning, “Get ready with me as an absolute piece-of-shit ICE agent,” as reported by Fast Company in January 2026. This creative subversion highlights the agency’s perceived actions and the public’s emotional response to immigration enforcement.
These videos quickly accumulate hundreds of thousands, sometimes millions, of views, demonstrating the platform’s capacity to amplify charged political issues. By juxtaposing mundane routines with the gravity of immigration enforcement, creators challenge traditional media narratives and foster a unique space for dissent and discussion among a vast, often younger, audience, many of whom rely on social media for news and information.
The rise of satirical commentary on TikTok
The ‘GRWM as an ICE agent’ videos are not mere comedic relief; they represent a significant cultural moment where digital platforms become battlegrounds for public opinion and social justice. Creators leverage humor and exaggeration to highlight serious allegations and public grievances. A key catalyst for this trend was the fatal shooting of Renee Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in her car on January 7, 2026, during protests against agency operations in the Twin Cities. This incident sparked widespread protests and rallies, both online and offline, demanding accountability and reform from ICE.
Examples from the trend, as detailed by Fast Company, include Macias’s skit where the “ICE agent” wakes up “screaming and shooting,” struggling to “get clean” after multiple showers, and comically stating he’s “about to go deport my neighbor.” Another viral video, titled “How ICE agents wake up in the morning,” has garnered nearly 3 million views, featuring a creator quipping, “I hope I get to beat up a pregnant woman.” This direct reference alludes to a separate, highly controversial incident where ICE agents allegedly detained a pregnant woman, kneeling on her and dragging her through snow.
Such pointed commentary transforms the “Get Ready With Me” format into a vehicle for advocacy, reaching audiences who might otherwise disengage from traditional political news. Data from the Pew Research Center indicates that a significant portion of young adults now get their news from social media, making platforms like TikTok crucial for shaping public discourse. This trend underscores a broader shift in how social justice issues are discussed and processed by the public, blending entertainment with activism.
The immediate, shareable nature of these videos allows for rapid dissemination of critiques, bypassing traditional media gatekeepers and fostering a direct connection with viewers. This phenomenon reflects a generation’s preference for authentic, often unfiltered, content that resonates with their lived experiences and political frustrations, even when presented through satire.
Implications for public perception and policy discourse
The viral nature of ‘GRWM as an ICE agent’ videos extends beyond mere entertainment, posing tangible challenges to the public image and operational legitimacy of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. By framing agents in a consistently negative light through widely shared content, these videos contribute to an erosion of public trust, particularly among younger demographics who are heavy users of TikTok and increasingly skeptical of governmental institutions. The New York Times has extensively covered the multifaceted public debate surrounding ICE’s role and methods, a debate now amplified by social media.
Experts in digital media and political communication suggest that such trends can significantly influence how controversial agencies are viewed. Dr. Anya Sharma, a researcher in social media and civic engagement at the University of California, Berkeley, notes, “When satire becomes this pervasive and culturally embedded, it shapes collective consciousness, making it increasingly difficult for institutions to control their narrative or effectively counter negative perceptions.” This digital pressure could potentially lead to increased scrutiny from lawmakers and a demand for greater transparency in immigration enforcement practices, prompting policy discussions that might otherwise remain stagnant.
Furthermore, the trend highlights the evolving role of social media as a tool for grassroots activism and political expression. It demonstrates that even seemingly innocuous formats can be repurposed for sharp social commentary, compelling institutions to adapt to a new landscape where public sentiment is forged not just in newsrooms, but in viral clips. The continued growth of these platforms means that understanding and engaging with such trends becomes essential for both governmental bodies and advocacy groups alike, as they navigate the complexities of public opinion in the digital age.
The phenomenon of ‘GRWM as an ICE agent’ videos exemplifies the dynamic interplay between internet culture, satire, and political discourse. As these trends continue to evolve, they underscore TikTok’s growing influence as a platform for challenging authority and shaping public opinion on critical social issues. The ongoing conversation surrounding immigration enforcement will undoubtedly continue to find new, creative expressions in the digital sphere, pushing both institutions and audiences to engage with uncomfortable truths and demand accountability.
