The Trump Administration's Horrific Attack On A Chicago Apartment Building

Jennifer Rubin tells us about the horrific attack on a Chicago apartment building by the Trump administration:

ProPublica investigated one of the most notorious episodes during the operation. On Sept. 30, “some 300 agents from Border Patrol, the FBI and other agencies stormed the 130-unit apartment complex.” Using tactics sure to traumatize civilians, “SWAT teams rappelled from a helicopter, knocked down doors and hurled flash-bang grenades.” Though they did arrest 37 immigrants, the feds “also zip-tied and, for several hours, detained many U.S. citizens.” None of them, it seems, turned out to be gang members, let alone criminals.

The details shock the conscience. “During the raid, panicked tenants hid under beds, climbed into elevator shafts and jumped out of windows…. Six Venezuelan men said agents hit or kicked them.,” ProPublica recounted. “A law enforcement dog bit a Nigerian tenant, leaving blood on the floor of an apartment,” while the invading agents charged into one unit forcing the occupant to his knees. “His 6-year-old nephew clung to him, sobbing.”

It would have been one thing if agents were using force to subdue armed, dangerous gang members. But ProPublica found: “Federal prosecutors have not filed criminal charges against anyone who was arrested. Nor have they revealed any evidence showing that two immigrants arrested in the building belonged to the Tren de Aragua gang, or even provided their names.” Instead, detainees were either deported or agreed to leave voluntarily, “a sign that they are not seen as a serious threat and can apply for return to the United States.” This assault was a purely performative drama meant to intimidate all immigrants.