Leftwing political streamer says he was stopped at Chicago airport and questioned about his political opinions after trip to France. ✈️
What Happened at the Airport?
Progressive political commentator Hasan Piker said he was stopped and questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents after arriving at Chicago O’Hare Airport on Sunday. Piker was returning from France, where he had celebrated Mother’s Day with his family.
During a livestream on Monday, the popular Twitch and YouTube personality said officials led him into a private room and questioned him for nearly two hours. The focus? His views on Donald Trump and the Israel-Gaza conflict.
Piker: “This Was Meant to Intimidate”
Piker, a New Jersey-born U.S. citizen, said the questioning felt targeted.
“I think they knew who I was and wanted to put the fear of God into me,” he said during the stream.
He described the experience as “cordial” but also said it felt like a “de facto detention”, especially since it was his first time using the Global Entry program, which is meant to fast-track returning travelers.
The officer reportedly asked about his criticism of the Gaza war, including whether he supported Hamas. Piker said he responded:
“I’m a pacifist. I just want the endless bloodshed to stop.”
DHS and CBP Deny Political Targeting
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rejected Piker’s claim, saying the inspection was routine and lawful.
“Claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection are baseless,” said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
A CBP official also stated there was “no targeting” based on political views.
According to the agency, no devices were searched, and Piker was released promptly after questioning.
Free Speech Advocates Raise Red Flags
Civil rights groups and legal experts voiced concern over the incident.
Chip Gibbons, policy director at Defending Rights & Dissent, said:
“Stopping political commentators to interrogate them about First Amendment-protected activity is deeply disturbing.”
Alex Peter, a lawyer and social media personality, added that detaining one of the U.S.’s most visible leftist voices sets a troubling precedent:
“It doesn’t portend well for the future.”
What’s Next?
Piker returned to the U.S. to speak at the University of Chicago Institute of Politics. Despite the incident, he says he will continue to speak out against government overreach:
“The goal is fear. But I won’t stop saying what I believe.”
