Broken bones, burning eyes: How Trump’s DHS deploys ‘less lethal’ weapons on protesters
Broken bones, burning eyes: How Trump’s DHS deploys ‘less lethal’ weapons on protesters
Tactics of Enforcement
Federal agents have deployed rubber bullets and pepper spray to target demonstrators. They have also used tear gas and flash-bang devices during street confrontations. In some cases, officers have damaged vehicles and directed gunfire at crowds. Despite these actions, the Department of Homeland Security has reported only 13 instances of gun-related injuries since the spring. However, the broader use of less deadly but harmful methods has resulted in hundreds of reported injuries.
Legal Scrutiny
At least four state courts have ruled that DHS officers applied force inappropriately and without discrimination. NBC News analyzed multiple incidents and found that agents frequently used “less lethal” tools in ways that contradict their own policies or standard policing practices, unless they perceived an immediate threat. The investigation relied on interviews with legal experts, injured protesters, and witness accounts, alongside documents from criminal and civil cases and protest footage.
Escalation Cycle
Immigration raids, often conducted with military equipment, have sparked confrontations with residents. Instead of de-escalating tensions, officers have resorted to physical and chemical force, sometimes without warning. This pattern suggests a lack of discretion, as tactics were applied regardless of whether protests were calm or chaotic. “I’ve never seen federal agents so out of control and acting in such a malicious manner,” stated Rubén Castillo, a former federal prosecutor and judge leading the Illinois Accountability Commission. “They said they were going after ‘the worst of the worst,’ then they became the problem.”
“I’ve never seen federal agents so out of control and acting in such a malicious manner,” said Rubén Castillo, a former federal prosecutor and federal judge who now leads the Illinois Accountability Commission. “They said they were going after ‘the worst of the worst,’ then they became the problem.”
Administrative Approach
For months, the Trump administration has escalated its enforcement efforts, resisting court orders and fostering an atmosphere of toughness. Officials have justified the use of force as necessary, while downplaying or misrepresenting incidents. The widespread deployment of less lethal tactics began in California and Oregon during late spring and summer, spread to Chicago in the fall, and reached a peak in Minneapolis, where two protesters were fatally shot last month.
Response and Accountability
Public backlash led DHS to replace on-the-ground leadership and reduce operations in Minneapolis. In a February interview, Trump acknowledged the need for a “softer touch” but insisted that “you still have to be tough.” Senior DHS officials recently told NBC News there are no immediate plans for large-scale city-targeted immigration actions. However, the administration noted that many new officers remain unassigned. DHS attributes the violence to local activists and politicians, claiming that attacks on officers have increased, leaving them with few options but to retaliate.
Case Examples
The agency cited several incidents, including one where an officer suffered burns and a deep cut, requiring 13 stitches, while apprehending a Salvadoran man. The case is still pending. Another instance involved a woman who allegedly bit off part of an officer’s finger. These examples illustrate the physical toll of the tactics, even as DHS shifts focus to defending its actions by highlighting alleged assaults on its personnel.
