Freelance journalist struck by pepper‑ball gun in Chicago protest – Leigh Kunkel was hit from about twenty feet away on Sept 26 while crouched behind a van; the projectile caused a bleeding nose and could have caused eye loss, violating federal and local use‑of‑force rules [1].
CNN review finds systematic breaches of crowd‑control guidelines – Analysis of more than two dozen videos shows agents routinely firing chemical sprays and less‑lethal projectiles at heads, faces and children without a clear safety threat, contravening both federal policies and stricter municipal standards [1].
Former officials and scholars condemn agents’ tactics – Ex‑CBP commissioner Gil Kerlikowske said agents “violated every protocol,” while criminology professor Michael Smith called the behavior “poorly trained, poorly supervised” and a product of leadership messages; former CBP chief Chris Magnus added that “the rules just don’t apply” in these operations [1].
Hennepin County opens criminal probe into 17 alleged abuses – County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on March 2 a investigation covering incidents such as a Jan 21 gas‑canister toss by then‑CBP commander Gregory Bovino, marking the latest legal challenge to federal conduct [2].
DHS defends force use, cites training and rising assaults – The department’s statement asserts agents are “highly trained in de‑escalation” and that force was necessary amid a “campaign of violence” by “dangerous rioters,” framing protesters as committing felonies if they impede officers [4].
Court orders and lawsuits aim to curb federal force in cities – Temporary injunctions in Chicago and Los Angeles restrict chemical munitions; the city of Chicago and Illinois Attorney General have filed suits to limit ICE and CBP use‑of‑force, while Minneapolis creates a portal for residents to report unlawful agent behavior [1].