https://archive.is/Q2JKk

The Trump administration’s online accounts are circulating images of a pumpkin carved with a sombrero design and a fake Halloween-themed background around a black man apparently accused of food assistance fraud, in social media posts slammed by critics as inflammatory rhetoric.

Only days before the midterm election, the posts coincide with the government’s sweeping campaign to show its aggressive immigration enforcement and highlight efforts to crack down on fraud to save taxpayers money when rising healthcare costs and other economic stressors have made affordability a top voter concern.

Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins posted on Saturday on social media a photo of the black man standing in front of stacks of what appear to be US currency with the headline, SNAP FRAUDSTER, an apparent reference to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Programme, formerly known as food stamps.

He is holding aloft what appears to be a bill set aflame. “Some costumes come with a price tag. This one comes with a prison sentence,” it says to the backdrop of fake spirit Halloween costume packaging.