Federal border agents deployed in Chicago under “Operation Midway Blitz” could redeploy to Charlotte as early as this week, according to multiple media reports, even as the Department of Homeland Security says it will not discuss future operations.
Federal law enforcement sources told the Daily Wire that Border Patrol personnel currently assigned to Chicago may move to Charlotte, North Carolina, as soon as this week. Separately, Reuters reported that Gregory Bovino — the Border Patrol official who has helped lead the Chicago effort — is expected to head to Charlotte and later New Orleans, though federal officials have not confirmed specific timelines. Local outlets in Charlotte have likewise cited a CBS News report indicating an operation could occur this month. DHS has not confirmed any redeployments. (dailywire.com)
The Chicago crackdown, branded by DHS as “Operation Midway Blitz,” has involved a significant federal surge. An internal memo obtained by CBS News showed DHS asked the Pentagon to accommodate roughly 250 federal agents and 140 vehicles at Naval Station Great Lakes to support the operation, and internal DHS figures reported by CBS indicated Border Patrol arrests in the region surpassed those by ICE. DHS has said total arrests tied to the blitz number in the thousands. (cbsnews.com)
Bovino has used his X account to promote the operation and respond to public requests. Last month, he replied to a user about Charlotte, “We’ll put Charlotte on the list!!!,” and on Nov. 12 he posted, “Crime way down in Chicago thanks to President Trump and Secretary Noem’s leadership. This is Homeland Security in action,” adding the #midwayblitz hashtag. (dailywire.com)
Illinois officials have sharply criticized the federal presence. “The people of Chicago have deserved better than having CBP and Greg Bovino in this city,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said this week, adding that the state would “continue to protect our neighbors and our friends and our families.” In a separate appearance, Pritzker referred to Bovino as a “snowflake” while denouncing the federal tactics. (fox32chicago.com)
DHS declined to confirm any plans for Charlotte. “Every day, DHS enforces the laws of the nation across the country. We do not discuss future or potential operations,” Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to Charlotte’s WBTV. She also wrote on social media, “We aren’t leaving Chicago.” (wbtv.com)
Tensions around the Chicago operation have remained high, with recurring protests and periodic clashes outside the ICE processing facility in Broadview. Recent reporting has described arrests of demonstrators and the use of chemical agents during confrontations, and a federal judge has imposed restrictions on aggressive tactics as litigation proceeds. (theguardian.com)
In October, DHS publicly warned that cartel-linked networks and U.S.-based gangs were offering tiered bounties — up to $50,000 — to target ICE and Border Patrol personnel, a claim reported by multiple outlets. Mexico’s president later said her government had received no supporting information from the U.S., and some experts questioned the allegation; DHS has stood by its warning. (upi.com)
In Charlotte, local law enforcement said they had not been briefed on any federal operation. “They haven’t reached out to me, so I’m not sure what’s going to occur,” Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said Tuesday, and the department noted it does not participate in ICE operations. (wbtv.com)
