A Fox News contributor faced widespread ridicule after appearing on Sean Hannity’s show on Wednesday night, sporting a tactical vest while reporting from the U.S.-Mexico border. Lawrence Jones III shared multiple images on Twitter, posing alongside U.S. Border Protection agents, dressed in what many described as an ill-fitting bulletproof vest. Observers noted that the vest’s pouches appeared empty, and actual border agents nearby were not wearing similar gear, fueling the mockery.

The backlash was swift, with critics slamming Jones for donning the military-style vest, which bore a U.S. Customs and Border Protection badge, accusing him of exaggerating the situation at the border. Jones later insisted that border agents required him to wear the vest for safety reasons. However, his actions, paired with Fox News’ ongoing narrative of a “border crisis,” were criticized for painting the area as a domestic “war zone,” a portrayal many deemed misleading.

In an earlier photo, Jones was seen in casual attire—a black t-shirt, jeans, and Vans sneakers—standing beside border agents, a stark contrast to his later tactical getup. The controversy escalated on Thursday morning as Jones took to Twitter to defend himself, spending hours responding to criticism. Veterans, war correspondents, and prominent journalists, including Roland Martin, joined the conversation, weighing in on the vest debacle. Some social media users mocked Jones by editing his images, adding items like Mexican ponchos or Elmo backpacks, while others argued that journalists “playing dress-up” is a widespread issue across cable news networks, not limited to one political side.

NBC News producer and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Mac William Bishop commented, “I’ve called out journalists for this before—last time it was someone from MSNBC, now it’s Fox. Pretending to be something you’re not, with no regard for journalistic standards or understanding of how protective gear works, isn’t a partisan issue—it’s a lack of integrity.”

While some in the media offered mild support, the overwhelming sentiment was critical, with many accusing Jones of perpetuating Fox News’ narrative of chaos and violence at the border, suggesting an urgent need for heightened security. MSNBC’s Jacob Soboroff pushed back, stating, “This is absurd. I’ve never worn a bulletproof vest at the border, nor has CBP ever asked me to—not even during a nighttime chase in the Arizona desert to apprehend migrants. The border isn’t a war zone.”

Roland Martin took a more direct approach, mocking Jones’ appearance. “Need a laugh? Lawrence looks like he’s heading to war. Is this for your speaking fees, Lawrence? It’s all about the money,” Martin tweeted, later adding, “Who should I trust on border issues—you, or a former CIA operative like Republican @HurdOnTheHill, whose district is actually affected? You’re just there for the show.”

Jones, known at Fox News for his sharp suits and tendency to promote unverified conspiracy theories—like his recent claim on Fox Business that Michelle Obama pulled strings to drop charges against Jussie Smollett—has often stirred controversy. Last week, he also hosted his mother, Tameria, on his show, where she shared her decision to keep him as a pregnant teen, a choice she made at 16 despite the challenges, relying on her faith to guide her.