WGN-TV producer arrested in Chicago, accused of ‘throwing objects’ at federal agents

Ongoing opposition to federal law enforcement found a corporate media figure making herself the news in the Windy City, prompting officials to respond, “… mess around and find out!!!!”

While distorted headlines and skewed reporting have long revealed how significantly leftism has supplanted impartiality in journalism — e.g., “Maryland Man” — a scene in Chicago allegedly crossed a line from words to actions. As with politicians and activist agitators obstructing immigration enforcement operations across the country, WGN News producer Debbie Brockman was thrown in handcuffs and hauled away Friday after she was accused of “throwing objects at law enforcement.”

The scene captured in a number of viral videos circulating on social media showed U.S. Border Patrol agents, surrounded by jeering protesters, detaining the suspect and putting her into the back of a minivan amid immigration enforcement operations.

While onlookers shouted invectives like “Nazi f*cks” and “hopefully your wife and children make it home,” the federal officials instructed another vehicle to get out of their way. Apparent refusal found them striking the tail end of the other vehicle as Border Patrol left the scene.

One of rock-throwing Debbie’s friends tried to box in Border Patrol with her car to keep them from taking her, and instantly regretted it. pic.twitter.com/QG58jam0l6

— Bad Hombre (@joma_gc) October 11, 2025

A statement from WGN detailed Friday as no charges had been filed against Brockman, who was released later in the day, “WGN is aware of this situation, and we are actively gathering the facts related to it.”

The lack of charges did not diminish the allegations that were leveled against the producer, as DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin had outlined the incident in a statement to WGN’s Courtney Spinelli. As she explained, Border Patrol had once more been blocked in by “several violent agitators” during an immigration enforcement operation, prompting them to use their own vehicle to “create an opening.”

It was then that the suspect had allegedly thrown an object at the Border Patrol’s car, leading to the arrest.

“This incident is not isolated and reflects a growing and dangerous trend of illegal aliens violently resisting arrest and agitators and criminals ramming cars into our law enforcement officers. These attacks highlight the dangers our law enforcement officers face daily–all while receiving no pay thanks to the Democrats’ government shutdown.”

“She was arrested for throwing objects at law enforcement,” McLaughlin alleged to the point in response to one of the videos circulating on social media.

Everything we know right now is in the article. We are working to get to the bottom of what led up to this. Attached was my email to DHS today. Their response was: “Please use our statement. Thank you.”

That statement can also be found below. pic.twitter.com/aZQq7u5teA

— Courtney Spinelli (@CourtSpinelliTV) October 11, 2025

She was arrested for throwing objects at law enforcement. https://t.co/iHt0a3XEwS

— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) October 10, 2025

Meanwhile, amid the reported 1000% increase in violence against federal officials and in the wake of an incident that led to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers firing on an armed suspect said to have been one of 10 cars that “attacked and rammed” the agents, boxing them in, U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino reacted to uproar over Brockman getting handcuffed and taken away from the scene.

“Fake news. A member of the press threw a metal object at Border Patrol and was arrested for 18 USC 111 Assault on a Federal Officer. Funny you left that inconvenient fact out. Mess around and find out,” Bovino stated.

He also responded to challenges about federal agents striking another vehicle during their departure by explaining that it is okay, “When attacked and boxed in — again, mess around and find out!!!!”

Fake news. A member of the press threw a metal object at Border Patrol and was arrested for 18 USC 111 Assault on a Federal Officer. Funny you left that inconvenient fact out. Mess around and find out. .

— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) October 10, 2025

When attacked and boxed in – again, mess around and find out!!!!

— Commander Op At Large CA Gregory K. Bovino (@CMDROpAtLargeCA) October 10, 2025

Staff Writer

Native of Brooklyn, NY, Kevin Haggerty is a graduate of Hunter College where he studied Cultural Anthropology and Geography. An avid reader and truth seeker, he currently resides in Texas with his wife and their dog and, when he isn’t researching current events and their impacts, you’ll find him spending time with friends and family or working on his next novel.

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