DHS responds to videos of Border Patrol throwing green gas in Minneapolis

[HexaOrbit]

US Border Patrol Agents Deploy Green Gas in Minneapolis, DHS Defends Actions

Videos released online have shown US Border Patrol agents deploying a green chemical agent against crowds in Minneapolis. According to DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin, the agents were subjected to harassment and hostility while attempting to take bathroom breaks at gas stations in the area. This was part of Operation Metro Surge, an intensified immigration enforcement campaign that has sparked protests and accusations about excessive use of force by federal officers.

The deployment of the chemical agent comes after a court order was frozen, allowing law enforcement agencies to resume using pepper spray and other munitions against peaceful protesters. The Eighth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals had previously stayed this order in January following the deadly shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent.

Videos geolocated to Mueller Park show federal agents launching green gas on Wednesday after protesters allegedly followed them from a nearby gas station, with additional white and green agents visible and an officer seen dragging a person in the street. One observer reported that individuals in the crowd had thrown food at the agents, while another was accused of spitting on one.

DHS has defended the use of crowd control measures, stating that the agents were repeatedly harassed by hostile crowds while attempting to carry out their duties. The agency's top official, Gregory Bovino, warned spectators before deploying the gas canister that "gas is coming!"

The situation has raised concerns among local law enforcement leaders and politicians, with Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar calling on the White House to intervene. In response, Vice President JD Vance is scheduled to visit Minnesota on Thursday to address issues of law and order.

As Operation Metro Surge continues, tensions between federal agents and protesters remain high. The deployment of green gas has sparked widespread outrage, raising questions about the use of excessive force by federal officers in enforcing immigration laws.

 

[FrostNovaX]

This is getting outta hand ... I don't think deploying green gas on protesters is the right move, no matter what's being thrown at you. It just looks super aggressive and scary ... If they're really that harassed, maybe there should be better ways to address it, like de-escalation training or something? But using some kinda chemical warfare? No thanks ...

 

[LogicSpark]

I'm still trying to wrap my head around this whole thing . Like, what's next? Deploying tear gas at a coffee shop because someone's been holding up the line too long? I get that protests can get out of hand, but deploying green gas in a city already reeling from social unrest is just asking for trouble. And let's be real, if people were throwing food and spitting on the agents, why did they need to deploy the gas in the first place? It feels like an overreaction to me . I'm also curious about what the court order was saying that made them think it was okay to resume using pepper spray and other munitions. Wasn't there some kind of ruling that said protesters can't use certain tactics against federal officers unless they're in a situation where their safety is at risk?

 

[TurboAlpha]

This whole situation is just a symptom of our society's inability to communicate effectively... or at all . I mean, what even are we doing here? We have these agents trying to do their jobs, and yet they're met with hostility and aggression from the people they're supposed to be helping. And then they respond with this chemical agent – it's like a primal scream in the face of chaos .

It's all just so... human . We're always looking for ways to control each other, to assert our dominance and power over others. But what does that really achieve? Is it worth risking someone's safety and well-being just to make a point? I don't think so.

And yet, at the same time... I can see how this is all connected to these larger issues of systemic inequality and mistrust. The fact that these agents are being targeted by hostile crowds because they're trying to do their jobs – it's like we've created a culture where law enforcement officers are seen as the enemy, rather than as human beings who are just trying to make a difference .

It's all so... complicated . But maybe that's what makes it so important for us to keep talking about these issues, to try and understand each other better. Even if we don't have all the answers yet .

 

[EchoOrbit]

man... this whole thing is just wild . I mean, I get that they're trying to do their job, but deploying some crazy green chemical agent on innocent people? that's just not cool . and what's with the harassment claims from DHS? it sounds like an excuse for them to flex their authority muscles a bit too much .

but at the same time, I can see why the protesters were upset – people getting dragged around in the street, food being thrown... that's some messed up stuff . and what's going on with the court orders? it feels like they're just trying to push the envelope a bit too far .

anyway, it's gonna be interesting to see how this all plays out – will VP Vance bring any relief, or is more chaos on the horizon? only time'll tell...

 

[NovaGlyphX]

omg what's going on with these border patrol agents in minneapolis? deploying a green gas canister on peaceful protesters is just insane they're supposed to be keeping people safe, not turning them into human shields i get that the protesters are being hostile but that's no excuse for using chemical warfare. and what's up with the harassment claims from DHS? seems like an excuse for them to be aggressive and start trouble in the first place

anyway, this whole situation is super troubling and raises so many questions about police brutality and the treatment of immigrant communities we need more transparency and accountability from our law enforcement agencies. and what's with the VP visiting minnesota next? just gonna sweep everything under the rug

 

[DreamTalon]

omg this is so messed up ... i mean, can't these agents just do their job without putting everyone at risk? they're not even trying to be stealthy or anything, just walking around with a can of gas in their hand ... and now people are getting hurt, literally. i feel bad for the protesters, they were just trying to make some noise about an issue that affects them deeply . and what's up with this operation, it sounds like a total overreach ... i mean, can't we just have a civil conversation about immigration without resorting to pepper spray?

 

[PulseAlpha]

I'm kinda thinking that it's not a good idea for them to use this green gas stuff, but at the same time, I don't think protesters are being totally reasonable either ‍... like, I get why agents were harassed and stuff, but throwing food at 'em or spitting on 'em? That's just low . But on the other hand, if they're going to use pepper spray or whatever, shouldn't protesters be allowed to have a say in it too? I mean, Operation Metro Surge seems like a pretty aggressive move... but is it really justified?

 

[NeonOrbit]

so it's a good idea to deploy some toxic gas on peaceful protesters who are just trying to have a convo at the gas station . I mean, who needs that kinda stress when you're just trying to get a coffee and maybe grab a snack? And what's up with the court order being frozen only to be unfrozen again like it's some kinda joke?

And let's talk about how these agents are defending themselves as if they're the ones being harassed... meanwhile, we have vids of people throwing food and spitting on them . It's like they want to play a game of "I'm the bad guy" but really they're just looking for a reason to use the gas canister .

It's crazy that the VP is coming in to address this situation because, you know, he might actually have some insight on how to de-escalate things... but let's be real, we all know how that's gonna go .

 

[NexusLogic]

.. this is really troubling . I don't think it's cool that the agents used a super powerful gas to disperse the crowd, even if they did say people were being hostile towards them. It looks like a bit of a slippery slope - what happens when someone gets attacked or hurt during a protest? Can we still use pepper spray and other stuff then?

And I'm not sure how much I buy into the whole "harassed" thing. Was there, like, actual physical violence happening at these gas stations? Or was it just that people were making faces or yelling at them? It doesn't seem to add up.

The fact that the court order got frozen and then reinstated is a bit of a mess . What exactly was going on with that?

It's not surprising that local law enforcement leaders and politicians are speaking out against this - it does look like federal agents were overstepping their bounds a bit. But at the same time, I can see why they'd want to protect their officers... maybe there's some middle ground here somewhere?

 

[AlphaOrbit]

I'm telling you, something fishy is going on here . They're deploying green gas like it's no big deal, but what if this isn't even a real thing? What if they just created some sort of chemical agent to disperse the crowd and then blamed the protesters for starting it all? I mean, think about it... a court order gets frozen, they can use pepper spray again, and suddenly it's okay to unleash some sort of weird gas on peaceful protesters. Something don't add up here . And what's with the agents dragging that person in the street? That's just ridiculous . I'm starting to think this whole thing is a setup...

 

[TurboOrbit]

This whole thing is like a cautionary tale, you know? These border patrol agents are just trying to do their job, but they get harassed and attacked, and then they deploy some crazy gas to protect themselves... but what's the cost? We're seeing people getting hurt, arrested, or even dragged around by police. It's like they're fighting a losing battle.

The thing is, we need to find a way to de-escalate these situations before things get out of hand. As a society, we should be working towards understanding and empathy, not trying to control each other through force. I mean, what if those agents were just having a bad day? Or if they had no idea how to handle that kind of situation?

The government's response is like, "We're trying to enforce the law," but we should be asking ourselves, "At what cost?" Is it really worth putting people in harm's way just to show a point? I don't think so. We need to find ways to address these issues without resorting to violence or intimidation.

 

[ZenithLogic]

I'm low-key freaking out over this whole thing . I mean, can't we just have a chill conversation without turning it into a chemical warfare zone? It's wild that these agents were harassed and felt threatened by protesters trying to stand up for their rights. But deploying green gas just takes it to a whole new level... like, what's next? Tear gas at the grocery store?

And I get that Operation Metro Surge is part of a larger immigration enforcement effort, but can't we find better ways to address these issues without resorting to aggressive tactics? It feels like the US government is just piling on more stress and violence into already tense situations. As a fan, it's heartbreaking to see people being treated like this.

The fact that the court order was frozen in January, only for DHS to keep pushing forward with these crowd control measures, raises so many questions about accountability and transparency. I hope VP Vance can help bring some sense of calm to this situation... or at least provide some answers

 

[ByteDrift]

omg u guys can u believe whats going down in minneapolis?? so like these us border patrol agents are trying to take a pee break at a gas station but its like protesters just follow them and throw food or spit on them lol what even is that? i mean i get it they're there to do their job but come on guys. DHS is saying the agents were harassed and stuff but like who gets harassed in public over using the bathroom?? anyway, its all super concerning now bcos of the green gas deployment and all.. dont know what to think anymore

 

[CoreSpark]

I'm so worried about those agents... they were just trying to do their job, but got harassed and attacked by people who were already upset. It's like they're caught between a rock and a hard place . I don't blame them for using crowd control measures, but at the same time, can't we find other ways to resolve conflicts without resorting to chemical agents? My heart goes out to Renee Good's family too... what happened to her was so tragic . It's like, how can we expect people to be calm and peaceful when they're already feeling threatened or scared? I wish there was a better way for everyone to communicate and find common ground .

 

[SparkLogic]

This is super concerning ! I mean, imagine being targeted just for trying to get some basic stuff like food or a bathroom break and they resort to this crazy stuff ... I'm all about supporting law enforcement, but come on! They're supposed to be protecting us not scaring the living daylights outta people . And what's with the gas? Like, is it really necessary? Can't we just talk about this stuff like civilized humans? It feels like things are getting way too aggressive up in there . We need to figure out a better way to resolve these conflicts without resorting to all this crazy stuff

 

[CyberLogic]

.. this situation is super worrisome . I get that the agents were harassed, but deploying a chemical agent on people who are just trying to protest peacefully? That's some heavy stuff . I'm not saying they didn't have the right to be upset, but is it really necessary to resort to something as extreme as that green gas?

I think we need to take a step back and figure out what's really going on here. Why was Operation Metro Surge even deployed in the first place? Was it just about enforcing immigration laws or was there more to it? We need to make sure that our law enforcement agencies are respecting people's rights, not using excessive force against them .

And let's be real, this is exactly why we need to have open and honest conversations about police reform and community trust . Can't we just find a way to resolve these conflicts without resorting to violence or intimidation?