Johnson doubles down on defense of federal agents targeting clergy, protesters [View all]
Source: Courthouse News Service
October 29, 2025
WASHINGTON (CN) — House Speaker Mike Johnson on Wednesday again waved away concerns that federal law enforcement in Chicago, Portland and elsewhere have used too heavy a hand with unarmed protesters demonstrating against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. And the top House Republican rejected the idea that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeting clergy members at protests raised questions about religious freedom.
Johnson has long expressed support for the Homeland Security Department’s blitz against several U.S. cities, which has seen federal agents and National Guard troops descend on Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington and elsewhere in the name of crime prevention and immigration enforcement.
The urban crackdown has produced images and videos of law enforcement using what some critics have said is excessive force against protesters, the media and bystanders. In Chicago, federal agents have deployed tear gas, pepper ball launchers and rubber bullets against demonstrators. In several instances, clips on social media have emerged of agents targeting faith leaders, including one of a Chicago pastor who was shot in the head with a pepper ball earlier this month.
Asked during a news conference Wednesday about federal agents’ conduct toward clergy in particular, Johnson said he had not “seen or heard” about any instances of faith leaders being targeted and rejected the idea that the Trump administration’s actions threatened religious freedom.
Read more: https://courthousenews.com/johnson-doubles-down-on-defense-of-federal-agents-targeting-clergy-protesters/
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