They are not supposed to respond to insults with force. Unless the passenger grabbed the male deputy’s genitals or went for his weapon - no excuse. He had his hand on her arm; the female deputy had her hand on the passenger’s shoulder; I didn’t see any sudden motion of the passenger’s arm. He just let go of her arm and punched her.
Pillows? If this woman is mentally ill, developmentally disabled or homeless, she probably travels with her pillows. If she’s not leaving them behind, she’s no more suspicious than anyone with travelling with their baggage. “DHS, there’s a crazy-looking fat lady here with some pillows? I’m worried about a foam and feather attack?”
If she’s non-threatening (quiet and polite) she has every right to ride that bus, and I’d have no problem riding with her. If she smells, I’d go upwind.
As I said, you don’t know the context. The bus driver could have had a history with the lady. They’re out there several hours a day and become familiar with the clientele. Something may have occurred on a previous bus trip the same day.
The video doesn’t give you before and after, and it is an all-too-typical “gotcha” which local media loves to air, especially the most leftist of all, the NBC station. They want us all to become judge and jury without knowing the facts.