President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that violent crime rates in Chicago have noticeably decreased since the start of the federal initiative dubbed “Operation Midway Blitz.” He attributed this decline to actions taken by the Department of Homeland Security, which he says have led to fewer shootings and robberies in the city.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that, since the operation commenced several weeks ago, shootings are down by 35%, robberies by 41%, and carjackings by almost 50%. He noted this progress was achieved against significant opposition from the Democratic leadership in Chicago and Illinois.
This announcement was Trump’s first public update regarding the operation since late October. At that time, the DHS reported nine arrests during what officials called “one of the most violent days” in the campaign against crime.
On October 22, during coordinated raids in Chicago’s suburbs, agents encountered various assaults and vehicle collisions, as stated by a Pentagon report to Fox News Digital. DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin termed that day as “one of the most violent days ever.” She confirmed that one staff member was injured during the events, which targeted violent offenders and previously deported individuals with criminal backgrounds.
The operation was named in memory of Katie Abraham, a Chicago-area resident who tragically lost her life in a hit-and-run incident involving a suspected illegal immigrant last September.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described Operation Midway Blitz, initiated in September, as part of a broader effort to tackle “criminal illegal aliens terrorizing Americans in the sanctuary of Illinois.” She emphasized that those who assault enforcement personnel would face serious legal repercussions.
Trump’s post also stirred up existing tensions between Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. Both have expressed strong opposition to large-scale immigration raids, with Trump accusing them of impeding enforcement and fostering violent resistance against ICE officers.
Looking ahead, Trump mentioned the next stage of the “Midway Raid” will involve a “full mobilization” of federal resources to both Chicago and Memphis, asserting that the early outcomes have already proven effective. He expressed confidence that crime rates would continue to drop as more assets are deployed.
Neither the Illinois governor’s office nor the Chicago mayor’s office has yet responded to requests for comments. The White House has directed inquiries about the president’s statements on Truth Social to Fox News Digital.
