Can't Make It Up: Fact-Checker Who Misidentified ICE Agent's 'Nazi' Tattoo Hired by Media Matters to Research Alt-Right

Twitchy
Jul. 22, 2018

Remember last month when blue-check celebrities like actor Ron Perlman smeared as a Nazi a veteran of the Marine Corps and double amputee who now works for ICE as a computer forensics analyst? Why? Because of the Iron Cross tattoo on his arm.

After Perlman and others spread the false claim far and wide, ICE issued a tweet clarifying that the tattoo is a symbol of his platoon in Afghanistan.

Justin Gaertner is a combat wounded U.S. Marine who continues to serve his country as an ICE computer forensics analyst, helping solve criminal cases & rescue abused children. The tattoo shown here is the symbol for his platoon while he fought in Afghanistan. pic.twitter.com/BaOBxaAMHS
— ICE (@ICEgov) June 18, 2018

Among those giving steam to the idea that ICE had hired a Nazi was former New Yorker fact-checker Talia Lavin, who this week tweeted that she's found a new gig with Media Matters for America researching right-wing extremist groups. Great hire, guys.

Some personal news: I'm delighted to be joining Media Matters (@mmfa) next week as a researcher on far-right extremism and the alt-right, part of a brand-new team. I'll be working full-time with some of the smartest, most passionate people in media right now and I'm psyched.
— Talia Lavin (@chick_in_kiev) July 20, 2018