Bovino Faces Scrutiny for “Operation Midway Blitz” Tactics in Chicago
U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis has ordered Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino, head of the federal government’s controversial “Operation Midway Blitz,” to report to her courtroom every weekday following reports of excessive force and tear gas use in Chicago. The directive came during a tense hearing Tuesday at the Dirksen Federal Courthouse after mounting allegations that agents violated court orders limiting the use of “riot control” weapons.
The case stems from a lawsuit filed by several media organizations accusing federal agents of targeting protesters, journalists, and bystanders. A prior court order prohibits agents from deploying tear gas or similar weapons without issuing two warnings and from using them on individuals who pose no immediate threat.
“They don’t have to like what you’re doing. That’s what democracy is,” Judge Ellis told Bovino, referring to protesters’ right to dissent. “They can say they don’t like what you’re doing… But they can’t get teargassed for it.”
Judge Imposes New Oversight Measures
Judge Ellis made clear that her oversight does not prevent immigration law enforcement but ensures compliance with legal standards. “My role is simply to see that any enforcement of those laws is done in a manner that is consistent with your obligations under the law,” she said. From now on, Bovino must personally brief the court each morning at 6 a.m. to report on the agency’s activities.
During the hearing, Ellis also ordered Bovino to provide use-of-force reports and body-worn camera footage dating back to September 2. She instructed him to begin wearing a body camera himself. “The camera is your friend,” she said pointedly, after learning that Bovino had not been using one. “How about by Friday you get one for yourself?” Bovino replied, “We can get that.”
Tear Gas Incidents Draw Judicial Rebuke
The hearing followed reports that federal agents used tear gas in Chicago neighborhoods during Halloween celebrations, including an incident in Old Irving Park where children in costumes were reportedly affected. “Those kids were dressed up in their Halloween costumes,” Ellis said. “You can imagine, their sense of safety was shattered.”
Bovino defended his agents’ actions cautiously, saying, “Each situation is dependent on the situation. I’d like to know more about what happened.” However, the judge warned federal lawyers that continued misuse of tear gas could lead to a full ban. “If they’re using tear gas, they better be able to back it up,” she said. “And if they can’t, then they will lose that as something they can use.”
Accountability, Identification, and Federal Tensions
Ellis reiterated the importance of accountability and transparency, emphasizing that journalists must be left alone and that all agents must wear visible identification. Bovino agreed, saying he had instructed officers to display IDs “in a conspicuous location,” which Ellis expanded to at least two visible spots on their uniforms.
The courtroom confrontation unfolded as President Donald Trump escalated his rhetoric about crime in “blue cities” like Chicago, warning he might send “more than the National Guard.” Some Guard members have already been deployed to Illinois, though none have taken to the streets.
Outside the courthouse, protesters waved signs reading “Stop ICE Brutality” and “Judge Sara Ellis is a Boss,” while inside, Ellis’s firm tone set the stage for continued judicial monitoring of federal immigration enforcement. With daily reports now mandated, the judge made it clear that transparency and compliance—not intimidation—will define the future of Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago.
