The family of Thomas Kinkade is calling out the Department of Homeland Security for attempting to use the late artist\u2019s work to promote \u201cdivision and xenophobia.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Kinkade Family Foundation sent a cease-and-desist letter to DHS, demanding it remove a social media post featuring Kinkade\u2019s painting \u201cMorning Pledge,\u201d in which an American flag flies above a suburban neighborhood. <\/p>\n
In the July 1 social media post<\/a>, DHS wrote \u201cProtect the Homeland\u201d along with a photo of the painting \u2014 without permission of the descendants of the artist, who died in 2012. The foundation told HuffPost on Tuesday that DHS has not responded to the cease-and-desist and wrote on their website<\/a> that they \u201cstrongly condemn\u201d DHS\u2019s messaging.<\/p>\n \u201cLike many of you, we were deeply troubled to see this image used to promote division and xenophobia associated with the ideals of DHS, as this is antithetical to our mission,\u201d the foundation said in a statement. \u201cWe stand firmly with our communities who have been threatened and targeted by DHS, especially our immigrant, BIPOC, undocumented, LGBTQ+, and disabled relatives and neighbors.\u201d<\/p>\n Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for DHS, told HuffPost in a statement that the agency is featuring art that \u201ccelebrates America\u2019s heritage and history.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cIf the media needs a history lesson on the brave men and women who blazed the trails and forged this republic from the sweat of their brow, we are happy to send them a history textbook,\u201d McLaughlin said. \u201cThis administration is unapologetically proud of American history and American heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n Since President Donald Trump<\/a>, who ran on the platform of mass deportation of undocumented immigrants, took office in January, DHS\u2019s social media pages have posted memes and other content featuring American symbols along with racist messaging. The latest instance was Tuesday, when DHS posted on X a painting of Uncle Sam<\/a> along with the text, \u201cAmerica has been invaded by criminals and predators. We need YOU to get them out.\u201d <\/p>\n 20 Years OfFreeJournalism<\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n Your Support Fuels Our Mission<\/p>\n For two decades, HuffPost has been fearless, unflinching, and relentless in pursuit of the truth. Support our mission to keep us around for the next 20 \u2014 we can’t do this without you.<\/p>\n We remain committed to providing you with the unflinching, fact-based journalism everyone deserves.<\/p>\n Thank you again for your support along the way. We\u2019re truly grateful for readers like you! Your initial support helped get us here and bolstered our newsroom, which kept us strong during uncertain times. Now as we continue, we need your help more than ever.