Noem Defends Operation Midway Blitz Amid Controversy

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem held a press conference in Gary, Indiana, to update the public on Operation Midway Blitz, the federal immigration enforcement effort focused on Chicago and surrounding areas and part of a broader White House initiative targeting illegal commercial driver's license violations; she was joined by Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and acting ICE Director Todd Lyons. Gary Mayor Eddie Melton said his office was not involved and would not participate, and activists planned to protest; DHS required press RSVP and early arrival and initially did not publicly disclose the event location. DHS and Border Patrol leaders said the operation, launched Sept. 8, has produced large numbers of arrests — ICE and CBP previously reported more than 1,000 and officials including Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino have said the tally is approaching 3,000 — and the department released body‑camera footage showing clashes and the use of tear gas during deployments. The visit drew criticism over secrecy and tactics, including reports that masked armed agents detained U.S. citizens and legal residents, and Noem rebuffed Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s request to pause enforcement over Halloween. The update came after an appeals court paused a judge’s order that would have required Bovino to report to court daily, a requirement DHS had argued would be extraordinarily disruptive.