Fact Check: Did Pam Bondi call inflatable frog costumes part of the ‘Antifa uniform’?

WASHINGTON, DC: A viral Facebook post claimed that Attorney General Pam Bondi described the 'inflatable frog' costume as part of the “Antifa uniform.” The rumor spread after protests in Portland against ICE, where many participants wore inflatable animal costumes, including frogs.

The alleged quote, supposedly from Bondi, began circulating in early October. But did she really make this statement?

Claim: Pam Bondi said inflatable frog costumes are part of the ‘Antifa uniform’

The claim originated from Facebook user James Schlarmann, who posted an edited image of Bondi featuring the Fox News logo and a fabricated quote, “Bondi: We classify inflatable frog costumes as part of the Antifa uniform."

Schlarmann captioned the image, “Good thing mine is an inflatable Garfield then, Pam.” The post quickly went viral, receiving nearly 2,000 likes, hundreds of comments, and shares before spreading to X (formerly Twitter) and Threads.

On October 20, 2025, X user Robert J. Ellingsworth (@BY1959) reshared the image with the caption, “Uh oh. She’s onto us,” further fueling the rumor

Fact Check: Pam Bondi never made any such claim

No, Pam Bondi never said inflatable frog costumes were part of the 'Antifa uniform'. There is no record of her making this statement in any interview, public appearance, or verified social media post.

The quote first appeared on James Schlarmann’s page, which describes itself as satirical, with a bio reading “Satirist. Comedian.” His account frequently posts humorous or fictional takes on political news.

No credible media outlets, official records, or Bondi’s verified accounts have mentioned such a statement. Searches show the quote exists only on social media, confirming it was satire that many users mistook for fact.

Inflatable frog costume became part of protests in Portland

The inflatable frog costume gained traction during protests in Portland, Oregon, against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The trend began under “Operation Inflation,” where activists used inflatable animal costumes — including chickens and frogs — to lighten the mood and reduce hostility.

According to KPTV, the costumes were meant to symbolize unity and humor amid tense demonstrations. The frog suit drew national attention after a video showed a protester in costume being pepper-sprayed by ICE agents, an incident later covered by The Washington Post.

Over time, the inflatable frog became a symbol of peaceful resistance and the unofficial mascot of the 'No Kings' protests, which opposed perceived authoritarian actions by the Trump administration. 

 This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.