Operation Clash: Trump Claims Victory as Federal ‘Blitz’ Roils Chicago
In a dramatic declaration from his Truth Social platform, President Donald Trump claimed a decisive victory in Chicago, citing a “dramatic” drop in crime following a contentious federal immigration enforcement surge dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz.” Trump stated that despite “radical opposition” from Democratic Governor JB Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson, the operation led to a 35% drop in shootings, a 41% decrease in robberies, and carjackings falling by nearly 50%. He credited the Department of Homeland Security initiative, which began in September and involved ICE and Border Patrol agents, for netting thousands of arrests, including violent criminals and gang members. Trump asserted these results were achieved with only a “small initial Federal Force,” promising even greater crime reduction as more assets are deployed.
The operation has plunged the city into a firestorm of conflict, meeting fierce resistance from local leaders and the public. Governor Pritzker has publicly condemned the federal agents, accusing them of “posing for photo ops” instead of enhancing safety, while Mayor Johnson signed an executive order creating “ICE-free zones” to block the use of city property for enforcement operations. The standoff has turned dangerously physical, with reports of blocked ICE vehicles, attempted rammings, and a shooting incident targeting Border Patrol agents in the Little Village neighborhood. The Department of Homeland Security warns this reflects a “dangerous trend of violence and obstruction,” framing Chicago as a battleground where federal authority and local sanctuary policies have violently collided.
