EXCLUSIVE: Following Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s criticism of Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino regarding his “Operation Midway Blitz” immigration enforcement actions in Chicago, DHS responded, suggesting the Democrat should prioritize the safety of Chicago residents endangered by criminal activities perpetrated by illegal immigrant gang members and drug dealers.
During his most recent press briefing, Johnson seemed to equate Bovino’s conduct to acts of terrorism, asserting that the North Carolina native “provokes terror on people.” He also denounced immigration enforcement raids and their promotion on federal social media platforms as being similar to “grotesque” depictions of racist actions, such as lynchings and scenes of resistance to desegregation from the 20th century.
“Mayor Brandon Johnson is, yet again, vilifying ICE and CBP law enforcement officials, who are experiencing over a 1,000% surge in assaults and an 8,000% increase in death threats,” Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated to Fox News Digital when questioned about Johnson’s remarks.
“Mayor Johnson has repeatedly demonstrated a lack of concern for the innocent American lives claimed by gang affiliates, murderers, drug peddlers, and rapists who are unlawfully present in this nation,” McLaughlin added.
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After a journalist made a lighthearted remark about Bovino’s “Midway Blitz” team posing at Chicago’s “Bean” sculpture — and another joked that agents were saying “Little Village” instead of “cheese” during a photo session in the predominantly Hispanic area — Johnson dismissed the situation, saying the commander, originally from North Carolina, “should just go away.”
“Here’s someone who has incited terror in individuals,” Johnson commented, before condemning Bovino’s demeanor as he departed from the Illinois federal court, surrounded by demonstrators yelling insults like, “F— you, Greg,”, “F— you, fascist,” and labeling him a “p—y.”
Johnson also disseminated a photograph of Bovino with agents at the “Bean,” describing it as “wicked and vile.” DHS countered by sharing images of recently apprehended violent illegal immigrants and essentially corrected the mayor, arguing that they were the ones deserving of the label “wicked and vile.”
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“Throughout my studies of history, I’ve witnessed numerous instances of deplorable human behavior,” Johnson informed reporters.
“Even upon entering the federal court, he marched down the street and saluted individuals,” he further noted, with a furrowed brow.
“And subsequently, [DHS] utilizes social media, adding hip-hop music to their campaign of terror within Black and Brown communities. This transcends a mere dog whistle. This is profoundly racist and reprehensible behavior in which he is engaging.”
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Johnson continued, characterizing President Donald Trump as a “brittle man” and suggesting Bovino is acting “under the direction of his king.”
“This president has authorized Bovino to deploy tear gas against police officers and infants. And then, they dare to pose for a photograph in front of one of our public landmarks,” he stated, referring to the “Bean” scene.
“Within American society, there are deeply disturbing images, graphic in nature, ranging from lynchings to the prevention of Black children from entering a public educational institution,” Johnson remarked.
Former Arkansas Democratic Gov. Orval Faubus and ex-Alabama Democratic Gov. George Wallace famously blockaded school entrances to prevent desegregation in the mid-20th century, prompting Presidents Dwight Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy to mobilize the National Guard at the federal level.
“Bovino’s and the Border Patrol’s current actions bear the same abhorrent inclination as those who have historically strived to dehumanize individuals relegated to the margins of society.”
