Cardi B claps back at DHS' ‘past behavior’ remark with Epstein files challenge
Photo: Reuters
Cardi B has publicly criticised the Department of Homeland Security after the agency referenced her “past behavior” in response to comments she made about ICE during a recent concert.
The rapper addressed immigration enforcement while performing at the opening night of her Little Miss Drama Tour at Acrisure Arena in Palm Desert on February 11. During a pause in her performance of "La Cucaracha", she asked the audience if there were any Guatemalans and Mexicans “in the building” before voicing opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Cardi told the crowd, “B***h, if ICE come in here, we gon' jump they a**es. I got some bear mace in the back. They ain't taking my fans, b***h.”
The following day, DHS responded on social media, quoting coverage that described Cardi as “jokingly threatening” ICE.
As long as she doesn’t drug and rob our agents, we’ll consider that an improvement over her past behavior. https://t.co/P9wqWk416L
Cardi replied on X, “If we talking about drugs let's talk about Epstein and friends drugging underage girls to rape them”.
If we talking about drugs let’s talk about Epstein and friends drugging underage girls to rape them. Why yall don’t wanna talk about the Epstein files? https://t.co/U7yCarPIXs
Her response referenced ongoing scrutiny surrounding the release of documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein. President Donald Trump signed the Epstein Files Transparency Act in November 2025, mandating the Department of Justice to release unclassified materials within 30 days. The DOJ did not meet that deadline but later published more than three million pages.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche stated that nearly three million additional pages were being withheld due to the presence of child sexual abuse material and the need to protect victims’ rights. In early February, the department removed “several thousand documents and media” from its website, citing concerns that they “may have inadvertently included victim-identifying information due to various factors, including technical or human error.”
Epstein survivors have criticised the handling of the files. One survivor said, “We expected a little bit more on Pam Bondi's part. I think she really dehumanized us today.”