A federal judge criticized Kristi Noem's ICE agents for lying about arrests in Chicago and trying to cover it up — even though body-cam video showed use of tear gas, pepper balls, brake-checks and using ChatGPT to change their narratives.
U.S. District Judge Sara L. Ellis issued a scathing 233-page opinion revealing the series of false statements from agents in the agency's “Operation Midway Blitz” immigration sweep in Chicago, The Daily Beast reported Friday.
In one video, the footage “suggests that the agent drove erratically and brake-checked other motorists in an attempt to force accidents that agents could then use as justifications for deploying force,” Ellis writes.
“Every minor inconsistency adds up, and at some point, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to believe,” she adds.
She recounted how agents were “driving erratically and through stop signs and red lights" through Evanston and made "a fast right turn" at a red light that caused a rear-end crash. They then detained bystanders standing on the street. One agent held a gun pointed at a resident filming the incident and said “step back or I’m going to shoot you.”
Three people detained were released without any charges.
Ellis also described video and witnesses seeing agents twist a man's arm and “bashing the man’s head on the street at least two times.” Another woman was tackled without any warning and then the agents pepper-sprayed the group.
The judge explained how agents deployed tear gas and pepper balls on journalists and neighbors. And in one incident, an agent rolled down his window, pointed his gun and said "bang bang." He then sneered and said "You're dead, liberal."
She had a harsh response to Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, who led the charge throughout the aggressive raids.
"The Court specifically finds his testimony not credible. Bovino appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing 'cute' responses to Plaintiffs’ counsel’s questions or outright lying," Ellis wrote.
Bovino and his agents have since headed to Charlotte, North Carolina. They are planning to head to New Orleans, Louisiana on Dec. 1.