Federal Agents Accused of Pepper-Spraying Phoenix Protesters in Drive-By Attack

Video shows DHS officers firing pepper-spray at crowd without apparent provocation

Jan. 28, 2026 at 10:07am

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Following weeks of protest in Minneapolis, residents of Phoenix, Arizona are now responding to federal agents descending on their city, and fresh video shows a crowd blasted by pepper-spray in a drive-by attack by DHS officers. The video shows the passenger-side window of an unmarked pickup truck open, and a torrent of pepper-spray is fired at the group standing on the sidewalk. The men inside, later identified as Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) officers, drive off as one pedestrian is brought to their knees by the chemicals.

Why it matters

The incident has sparked outrage and concerns over the use of force by federal agents against protesters. Experts have stated that based on the video, there was no justification for the use of pepper-spray, raising questions about the tactics and accountability of federal law enforcement operations in Phoenix.

The details

The video shows protesters gathered at a sidewalk to yell at two unmarked pickup trucks driving past, when the passenger-side window of the second truck opens and a torrent of pepper-spray is fired at the group. The men inside, later identified as HSI officers, then drive off as one pedestrian is brought to their knees. Local news reports indicate the incident followed a raid on the same restaurant the previous day, and that DHS personnel were involved in several other pepper-spray incidents across the city that night.

  • On January 28, 2026, the incident occurred in Phoenix, Arizona.
  • The incident followed a raid on the same restaurant on Monday.

The players

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI)

A division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that investigates a wide range of criminal activities, including immigration-related crimes, financial crimes, and transnational gangs.

Dr. Roy Taylor

An expert in police procedures who stated that based on the video, there was no justification for the use of pepper-spray by the federal agents.

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What they’re saying

“Based on what we could see, there was no justification for any use of force.”

— Dr. Roy Taylor, Police Procedures Expert (KPHO-TV)

“I think the officers fell victim to mob mentality, thinking they were anonymous -- 'Nobody knows who we are, we are wearing masks, don't have logos on uniforms, our vehicles are unmarked' -- and they thought they could probably get away with a little street justice by squirting some of the agitators as they drove away.”

— Dr. Roy Taylor, Police Procedures Expert (KPHO-TV)

What’s next

The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly working on a statement regarding the incident, and it is expected that an investigation will be launched to determine the actions and accountability of the federal agents involved.

The takeaway

This incident has raised serious concerns about the use of force by federal agents against protesters in Phoenix, and highlights the need for greater transparency and accountability in the operations of federal law enforcement agencies, especially when deployed against civilian populations exercising their constitutional rights.