A local television news producer was forcibly detained by federal U.S. Border Patrol officials during traffic on Chicago’s North Side on Friday morning, and the dramatic event was captured on film by witnesses.
In the footage, WGN news journalist Debbie Brockman is seen being subdued to the ground by two masked U.S. Border Patrol officers, who restrain her with handcuffs while she vocalizes in evident distress.
Prostrate on the sidewalk with her wrists restrained behind her back, she discloses her identity and implores a bystander capturing the event, “I am employed by WGN.” Inform them.
Despite her being tied, an off-camera voice instructs, “Bring her in by force if necessary,” as two agents forcibly escort woman into their vehicle and depart rapidly. A spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security claims that Brockman attacked an agent at the location.
According to local broadcaster FOX 32 Chicago, federal officials allegedly rammed the van into Brockman’s vehicle before apprehending her.
A spectator filmed a video in which the lady is forcibly pushed into the van, and as the agents depart, the van collides with the back of an SUV that is partly obstructing their escape, detaching the bumper of the other car. The Chicago Tribune reported that the incident occurred during rush hour traffic this morning.
The Tribune reports that an unnamed male was apprehended.
DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told TMZ that the U.S. Border Patrol was executing immigration enforcement operations when many aggressive provocateurs obstructed agents with their automobiles in an attempt to hinder and harm federal police. To ensure public safety and facilitate law enforcement, cops used their service car to collide with a suspect’s vehicle, so creating an opening. While agents were driving, Deborah Brockman, a U.S. citizen, hurled debris at the Border Patrol vehicle and was subsequently arrested for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.
McLaughlin said, “This incident is not an isolated occurrence and exemplifies a concerning and perilous trend of undocumented immigrants violently resisting arrest, as well as agitators and criminals colliding vehicles with our law enforcement officers.” These assaults underscore the perils faced by our law enforcement personnel everyday, all while getting no pay due to the Democrats’ government shutdown.
WGN has apparently informed FOX 32 that they are “aware of this situation” and are “actively collecting the pertinent facts.”