The Department of Homeland Security responded to Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) on Wednesday about his comments attacking federal agents over a viral image showing a Border Patrol agent pointing a weapon out of the passenger window of an unmarked vehicle at the driver in the next lane in the Chicago suburb of Berwyn, Illinois on Tuesday.
DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said the protester’s vehicle had attempted to ram the federal agent’s vehicle. A ramming incident in the Chicago area last week forced federal agents to fire on and wound armed woman attacking them. McLaughlin said in this incident the agent from Border Patrol raised a pepper ball gun. McLaughlin added, “We’re not playing.”
A screen image from video of the incident and a photo were posted by Chicago Tribune reporter Laura Rodriguez from a self-styled citizen patrol group that follows and harasses federal agents enforcing immigration laws in the Chicago area.
“A federal agent points a weapon at a woman who was recording them. Jess, a U.S. citizen and member of a neighborhood patrol team that documents and shares ICE activity across the city, was filming when the incident occurred earlier today in the Berwyn area.”
Update: Jess clarified that while she posted the picture, it was sent to her from another person patrolling – to post.
They’re U.S citizens who were solely recording the agents.
Here’s another angle from another community member. pic.twitter.com/zFHUnzt7rE
— Laura N. Rodríguez Presa (@LAURA_N_ROD) October 8, 2025
Rodriguez later posted video of the incident:
Here’s a video.
I cannot confirm whether the person who posted it is the one who recorded it. People have been widely sharing and reposting photos and videos of ICE incidents to alert the Chicago community of their activity. Most believe they’re their only trusted source. pic.twitter.com/KvrfiG3HCe
— Laura N. Rodríguez Presa (@LAURA_N_ROD) October 8, 2025
Sen. Murphy commented, “This is out of hand. These agents are there to cause trouble and violence, not to keep people safe. These are the scenes that play out in war torn, destitute countries – not America.”
This is out of hand. These agents are there to cause trouble and violence, not to keep people safe. These are the scenes that play out in war torn, destitute countries – not America. https://t.co/uQA4lzdQZv
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) October 7, 2025
McLaughlin responded to Murphy:
Here’s the real story:
As Border Patrol was conducting a targeted enforcement, a vehicle started
aggressively trailing our officers and intentionally veered into their vehicle in an apparent attempt to ram law enforcement’s vehicle.Despite the barrage of violent attacks on
@DHSGov
law enforcement, these agents fully followed their training—this is a pepper ball gun used for riot control without causing lethal injuries.Aggressors and violent activists who wish to harm and intimidate our officers should not be surprised when protective measures are displayed to prevent violence against our officers. We aren’t playing.
Here’s the real story:
As Border Patrol was conducting a targeted enforcement, a vehicle started
aggressively trailing our officers and intentionally veered into their vehicle in an apparent attempt to ram law enforcement’s vehicle.Despite the barrage of violent attacks on… https://t.co/nMCNI4ovsc
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 8, 2025
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