Chicago News Producer Violently Arrested by Feds in Traffic, on Video

On Friday morning, in the heart of Chicago’s North Side, federal U.S. Border Patrol agents forcibly detained a local television news producer during heavy traffic—an incident that was recorded by onlookers.

Footage shows WGN news producer Debbie Brockman being overpowered by two masked Border Patrol agents, who handcuff her as she screams in pain.

As she lay face-down on the pavement, with her hands cuffed, Brockman identified herself to a bystander recording the scene, stating, “I work for WGN. Please inform them.”

While still restrained, an off-camera voice could be heard saying, “Bring her in by force if you have to,” as agents forcibly pulled her into their van and drove away. A spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security claims that Brockman assaulted an officer at the scene.

Local reports indicate that the agents crashed their van into Brockman’s vehicle before her abduction, as per accounts from FOX 32 Chicago.

Another bystander’s video captured the moment when she was thrust into the van, and as the agents sped away, they collided with the back of an SUV partially obstructing the road, damaging the vehicle significantly. The Chicago Tribune states that this all unfolded during the busy rush hour of the morning.

The Tribune reports that another unidentified man was also taken into custody during this incident.

According to DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, “U.S. Border Patrol was engaged in immigration enforcement operations when numerous aggressive individuals blocked agents with their vehicles, jeopardizing officer safety. Officers were compelled to utilize their vehicle to strike a suspect’s car and escape. As the agents drove off, Brockman—who is a U.S. citizen—threw items at the agents’ vehicle, leading to her arrest for assaulting a federal officer.”

McLaughlin continued, stating, “This situation is not an isolated event; it exemplifies a rising and alarming trend wherein illegal aliens aggressively resist arrest along with accomplices and criminals endangering law enforcement officers. Such aggressive actions highlight the daily risks faced by our enforcement officials, especially as they are going unpaid due to the current Democratic government shutdown.”

WGN has informed FOX 32 that they are “aware of this incident” and are “actively gathering information related to it.”

This arrest comes on the heels of an earlier incident where a Chicago pastor was hit by a pepper ball during a protest in front of an ICE facility in the Broadview area of Chicago.