A study by the Physicians for Human Rights and the Human Rights Center at the University of California Berkeley found that federal agents misused crowd control weapons during Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota, with 94 cases of misuse reported.

Details of the Study

The study, which analyzed use-of-force incidents between June 2025 and June 2026, found that the majority of the misuse cases in Minnesota occurred in the Twin Cities. The study identified the use of chemical irritants, such as tear gas, as a major concern, with many incidents involving the use of these agents at close range.

According to Dr. Asha Hassan, a professor at the University of Minnesota Medical School, the long-term impacts of chemical irritants are not well researched, and their use can have serious health consequences, particularly for vulnerable populations such as children, pregnant women, and people with chronic respiratory conditions.

Response from Authorities

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that federal officers are trained to use the minimum amount of force necessary to resolve dangerous situations, prioritizing the safety of the public and officers. The St. Paul Police Department is investigating an incident in which officers used chemical irritants on people gathered outside a home where federal agents were making an arrest.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Minnesota has filed a lawsuit against the federal government, alleging that the use of crowd control weapons, including chemical irritants, violates the public’s First and Fourth Amendment rights.

Original reporting: Sahan Journal — read the source article.