DHS blasts Chicago mayor for comparing raid leader to segregationists, accusing him of ‘terror’
In a heated exchange that highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement in the United States, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has publicly criticized Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino for his “Operation Midway Blitz,” which involves immigration raids in the city. At a recent press conference, Johnson condemned the raids, likening Bovino’s actions to terrorism and drawing parallels to historical instances of racial violence, such as lynchings and anti-desegregation protests. He described the imagery associated with these federal operations as “grotesque,” asserting that they provoke fear and trauma within communities, particularly among Black and Brown residents. Johnson’s remarks reflect a broader concern among local leaders about the impact of aggressive immigration enforcement on vulnerable populations.
In response, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defended Bovino and the operation, arguing that Johnson’s comments ignore the realities of crime associated with illegal immigration. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized Johnson for failing to acknowledge the dangers posed by gang violence and drug trafficking, which they claim are exacerbated by a lack of effective immigration enforcement. She emphasized that law enforcement officials are facing unprecedented levels of violence and threats, with assaults on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents reportedly increasing by over 1,000%. McLaughlin’s comments underscore a significant divide in perspectives on immigration policy, with local leaders prioritizing community safety and federal officials focusing on enforcement and security.
The confrontation escalated as Johnson not only criticized the tactics used by Bovino and his team but also expressed disdain for their public demeanor, particularly a photo of them posing at Chicago’s iconic “Bean” sculpture. He described the image as “wicked and vile,” suggesting it trivializes the serious nature of their operations. This incident has sparked a broader debate about the role of federal immigration enforcement in urban areas and the potential ramifications for community relations. Johnson’s references to historical injustices serve as a provocative reminder of the delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and protecting the rights and dignity of all residents, particularly those from marginalized communities. As the dialogue continues, both sides remain entrenched in their positions, highlighting the complexities of immigration policy in contemporary America.
EXCLUSIVE:
After
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson
put Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino on blast for his “Operation Midway Blitz”
immigration raids
in the Windy City, DHS hit back saying the Democrat should worry more about Chicagoans being maimed by illegal immigrant gangbangers and drug traffickers.
At his latest press conference, Johnson appeared to equate Bovino’s behavior with terrorism, saying the North Carolina native is someone who “provokes terror on people,” and condemned immigration enforcement raids and their spread on federal social media as akin to “grotesque” imagery of racist behavior like lynchings and anti-desegregation scenes from the 20th century.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson is once again demonizing ICE and CBP law enforcement are facing a more than 1,000% increase in assaults and 8,000% increase in death threats against them,”
DHS Assistant Secretary
Tricia McLaughlin told Fox News Digital when asked about Johnson’s comments.
“Mayor Johnson has shown time and time again he does not care about the innocent American lives taken at the hands of gang members, murderers, drug traffickers, and rapists who have no right to be in this country,” McLaughlin said.
OPERATION MIDWAY BLITZ COMMANDER REBUTS PRITZKER’S ‘CRAZY RHETORIC,’ WARNS IT COULD LEAD TO VIOLENCE
After a reporter joked about Bovino’s
“Operation Midway Blitz” team
posing at Chicago’s
“Bean” sculpture
— and another quipped that agents were saying “Little Village” instead of “cheese” while taking photos in the heavily Hispanic neighborhood — Johnson scoffed, saying the commander “should just go away.”
“Here’s someone who has provoked terror on people,” Johnson said, before condemning the way Bovino comported himself as he left Illinois federal court swarmed by protesters screaming, “F— you, Greg,”, “F— you, fascist,” and calling him a “p—y.”
Johnson also shared a photo of Bovino posing with agents at the “Bean” and called the picture “wicked and vile.” DHS responded by sharing images of recently-arrested violent illegal immigrants and proverbially corrected the mayor, saying they should be the ones considered “wicked and vile.”
BORDER PATROL CHIEF FIRES BACK AFTER CHICAGO MAYOR CALLS HIM ‘BARBARIC’ OVER TEAR GAS CLASH
“I’ve seen a lot of bad behavior from human beings over the course of my study of just history,” Johnson told reporters.
“Even when he was on his way into federal court, he paraded down the street and saluted individuals,” he added, furrowing his brow.
“And then [DHS goes] on social media and put hip-hop music to their terror in Black and Brown communities. That’s not even a dog whistle anymore. That’s some real racist jacked-up stuff that he is engaged in.”
BORDER PATROL CHIEF FIRES BACK AFTER PRITZKER CALLS FEDERAL OPERATIONS ‘UNCONSTITUTIONAL INVASION’
Johnson went on, claiming President
Donald Trump
is a “brittle man” and that Bovino is acting “under the direction of his king.”
“This president has unleashed Bovino to unleash tear gas on police officers and babies. And then they have the temerity to take a picture in front of one of our public assets,” he said of the “Bean” scene.
“There are horrific pictures that exist within America, in American society,
graphic ones, from lynchings
to Black children being prevented from entering into a public institution,” Johnson said.
Former Arkansas Democratic Gov. Orval Faubus
and ex-Alabama Democratic Gov. George Wallace both barricaded schoolhouses to prevent desegregation in the mid 20th century, leading Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy, respectively, to federalize the National Guard.
“What Bovino and the Border Patrol are executing right now have the same grotesque proclivity as those who have worked incredibly hard to dehumanize, historically, people who have been placed in the margins.”
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
