A federal judge is seeking answers about the tactics used by President Trump’s immigration crackdown in Chicago. The judge, Sara L. Ellis, questioned operational leaders about their use of tear gas and crowd control methods during a hearing on Monday.
Judge Ellis is concerned that the government may be flouting her order limiting the use of tear gas against protesters. In September, she ordered that tear gas not be used against protesters in Chicago who are not posing an immediate threat. However, federal agents have since been caught using tear gas in neighborhoods despite this order.
The judge also wants to know more about two recent incidents where agents clashed with residents and used tear gas. She has previously expressed frustration over reports suggesting that her orders are not being followed.
In one incident, agents stopped a resident and formed a crowd, leading to the use of tear gas. In another, agents fired tear gas into a crowd after a car crash involving federal agents.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/20/us/chicago-hearing-tear-gas-trump.html