Hasan Piker Questioned by US Customs at O'Hare

Hasan Piker, a prominent Twitch streamer and political commentator known for his progressive views and critiques of Donald Trump and Israeli policies, was detained and questioned for nearly two hours by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Chicago O’Hare Airport after returning from France. Agents questioned him about his political beliefs, support for Trump, and possible connections to groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Piker described the encounter as intimidating and suggested it was intended to chill criticism of U.S. policy, though he noted the exchange was ultimately cordial and he was released. Civil liberties advocates expressed concern about the implications for First Amendment rights. The Department of Homeland Security denied his political views were the reason for the inspection, calling the process routine. The incident has fueled broader concerns over increased scrutiny of travelers with prominent or dissenting political views.