CHICAGO — Federal agents, including masked officers armed with rifles and patrolling by boat, were deployed across downtown Chicago on Sunday as part of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement initiative, Operation Midway Blitz.
The operation targets illegal immigrants who have criminal records and is meant to demonstrate the administration’s readiness to take action in sanctuary jurisdictions. (RELATED: How DEI Resulted In A Fugitive Illegal Alien Running Des Moines Schools)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed its units have been deployed on foot and along the Chicago River, where boats carrying masked agents with rifles were seen near State Street. Officials described the strategy as an “all threats” posture, allowing for deployment by land, water, or air.
As Mediaite reports:
President Donald Trump has started sending federalized troops to Chicago on Sunday after threatening to do so for weeks.
The Chicago Sun-Times reported dozens of immigration agents took individuals into custody while patrolling downtown Chicago on Sunday.
Gregory Bovino, a border patrol chief, told local radio station WBEZ that agents were arresting people based on “many different factors,” including “how they look.” He also said agents have the “intelligence” and “experience” to know when something “indicates there’s illegal aliens in a particular place or location.”
Trump, on Sunday evening, posted a clip of troops being harassed by protestors in Chicago.
“Border Patrol will take no nonsense!” the president declared.
The sight of Border Patrol agents patrolling Chicago sparked outrage from the usual critics. Gov. JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, both Democrats, condemned the operation as unnecessary and intimidating. Pritzker warned that if active-duty troops are deployed, he’ll “immediately go to court.” (RELATED: Pro-Life Activist Assault Case Dismissed After Blue State DA’s Office Misses Key Deadline)
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) went further, lighting a firestorm after blasting ICE agents in Chicago — accusing them of “kidnapping” and “terrorizing” residents. The Trump administration hit back hard, reiterating its stated commitment to enforcing the law. (RELATED: Multiple Shot At Dallas ICE Field Office; Suspect Down)
While the Pentagon has authorized staging at Naval Station Great Lakes, Vice President JD Vance said there are “no immediate plans” to send National Guard units into the city. Critics argue such a step could violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military forces in domestic law enforcement absent a presidential invocation of the Insurrection Act.
Civil liberties groups say the aggressive patrols will stoke fear and erode trust. Supporters argue it’s about restoring order. Either way, Chicagoans woke up Sunday to the sight of armed feds on their streets — and the showdown is only just beginning.
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When our governor, Jabba, so named after the Star Wars character because of similarity in girth and looks, says he’s going to court. Most people go to the shitter in that situation. That’s what Jabba thinks of the court system making it his own private shitter, isn’t it?