Appeals court blocks limits on tear gas use in Portland

Catch up quick: The limits stem from two lawsuits over federal use of chemical munitions near an ICE facility in South Portland amid long-running protests.

• In one case, tenants of a nearby apartment building argued that clouds of tear gas seeping into their dwellings violated their constitutional rights.
• In the other, demonstrators and journalists alleged that the feds' use of chemical munitions represented excessive force.
• The federal judges agreed in both cases, and earlier this month they restricted the use of chemical munitions to situations in which officers face imminent threats.

State of play: The U.S. Department of Justice appealed both rulings and the cases were consolidated.

• Appeals court judges Kenneth Kiyul Lee and Eric C. Tung, both appointed by President Trump, agreed to block the restrictions at least until oral arguments can be held.
• Judge Ana de Alba, appointed by President Biden, dissented.

What's next: Both sides will present their cases before the panel on April 7.