A federal judge in Illinois, Sara L. Ellis, issued a 14‑day temporary restraining order limiting federal agents’ use of force during protests in the Chicago area. The order bars the deployment of riot control weapons—such as tear gas, pepper spray, flashbangs, and less‑lethal munitions—against protesters, journalists, and clergy unless there is an immediate threat to physical safety or probable cause of criminal conduct. Agents are also prohibited from shoving, tackling, or body‑slamming demonstrators who are not posing a threat.
The order further requires that agents issue at least two verbal warnings before using force, provide time for compliance, and display visible identification (e.g. badge numbers) while in riot gear. Also, federal officers cannot arrest peaceful protesters or journalists without probable cause. The restraining order was issued in response to a lawsuit from journalists, protest groups, and religious leaders who alleged that federal agents had used excessive force and targeted media covering protests near ICE facilities—especially in Broadview, a suburb of Chicago.
The Justice Department objected to the order, arguing that federal agents need discretion to respond quickly in volatile situations. Meanwhile, the order coincided with broader legal actions: another judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s plan to deploy the National Guard to Illinois amid growing unrest around immigration enforcement. As protests continue under “Operation Midway Blitz,” tensions between federal agents and local communities have escalated, and the restraining order underscores ongoing judicial scrutiny over how authorities manage crowd control and respect First Amendment protections.
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