Twitch Streamer Hasan Piker Questioned at Airport: Politics or Routine Procedure?

On May 12, 2025, Twitch streamer Hasan Piker reported being questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officers at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. Piker alleges that the questioning was politically motivated, focusing on his views on President Trump and his alleged ties to groups such as Hamas. "They're asking me about Trump, they're asking me about Hamas," Piker said in a video statement. However, a Department of Homeland Security official countered that Piker's account was "nothing but lying for likes," asserting that the inspection was a routine procedure. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated in an official statement to NBC News that the claims that his political beliefs triggered the inspection were baseless and that their officers are following the law. This incident highlights concerns about potential political targeting in border control procedures and raises questions about due process and freedom of speech. The incident also underscores the challenges faced by public figures who may be subject to heightened scrutiny.