A federal judge has issued a temporary restraining order limiting the use of tear gas and other riot control tactics by federal agencies during protests in Illinois. Judge Sara Ellis, appointed by President Obama to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, ruled that federal agents can only disperse crowds in public areas under \u201cexigent circumstances\u201d \u2014 when there is an immediate threat to someone\u2019s physical safety. The order requires officers to give at least two verbal warnings before deploying tactics like tear gas, flash-bang grenades, or less-lethal shotguns, and to allow protesters time to comply.<\/p>\n
Ellis also prohibited officers from shoving or tackling demonstrators unless they pose an immediate threat or are subject to lawful arrest. The case was brought by journalists who claimed they were manhandled by federal officers during protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Chicago.<\/p>\n
The Justice Department objected, arguing federal officers need discretion for quick decisions in volatile situations. The ruling came the same week another Biden-appointed judge temporarily blocked President Trump\u2019s plan to deploy the National Guard to protect federal buildings in Chicago amid escalating unrest outside ICE facilities.<\/p>\n
Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, a Democrat, criticized Trump\u2019s immigration enforcement as unconstitutional and encouraged protests against federal authorities. Trump adviser Stephen Miller accused Pritzker of inciting violence by opposing ICE operations.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Illinois State Police arrested violent protesters attempting to breach police lines at the ICE facility in Broadview.<\/p>\n