Political streamer Hasan Piker was recently detained and interrogated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers after arriving from Paris. The incident occurred on Sunday at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. Piker, a U.S. citizen and participant in the Global Entry program, was unexpectedly pulled aside for further inspection despite being considered a low-risk traveler.
He was escorted to a separate room at the airport, where he spent approximately two hours under questioning. The agents reportedly asked about his occupation, political views, and thoughts on former President Donald Trump. They also raised questions regarding his stance on U.S. foreign policy and various militant groups in the Middle East, including Hamas, the Houthis, and Hezbollah.
Extensive Questioning Of Hasan Piker Raises Concerns
Piker, who is known for his online commentary on Twitch, was asked repeatedly about his views on conflict in Gaza and whether he had any links to terrorist organizations. Despite his clear denials of any such affiliations, the questioning continued in a way that he found aggressive and suspicious. The focus remained on extracting statements that could be used to justify longer detainment or further investigation.
Twitch streamer Hasan Piker confirms that the Trump Administration has been monitoring him for some time.
— Hasanabi productions (meme account) (@HasanabiProd) May 12, 2025
They detained him at the airport and asked him about his Twitch bans and his anti-Trump coverage.💀 pic.twitter.com/bj4AKeQ4Yz
During the process, he also spoke candidly about his criticism of the Trump administration, including foreign policy decisions and unfulfilled promises related to ending overseas conflicts. He did not hide his political stance, emphasizing his constitutional right to express dissent.
Homeland Security Defends Action
Tricia McLaughlin, a Homeland Security spokesperson, later confirmed that Piker had undergone a secondary inspection. She stated that such checks are routine and based on lawful procedures, not political motivations. She did not provide specific details about why Piker was selected for additional screening or why the session lasted as long as it did.
After being released, Piker was handed paperwork directing him to the Department of Homeland Security’s Traveler Redress Inquiry Program, a channel for addressing complaints about airport inspections. He was advised that future encounters could be avoided depending on certain “behavioral” adjustments, though no clear guidelines were provided.
Broader Pattern of Political Scrutiny
Piker’s experience comes at a time when other individuals with pro-Palestinian views have reported similar treatment. In one recent case, a U.S. lawyer representing activists was detained and pressured to hand over his phone passcode at Detroit’s airport.
Although Piker’s phone was not searched, the intensity and content of his questioning raised concerns about political targeting. As a well-known public figure with a large online audience, he acknowledged that his platform may have offered some protection. However, he warned that others in similar situations might not be as fortunate. And he called attention to the broader implications for civil liberties and free expression at the U.S. border.
