U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), who serves as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, announced on the Senate floor that he and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) have submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department. The referral concerns actions by senior Administration officials and federal immigration agents during “Operation Midway Blitz,” which allegedly involved violations of constitutional rights in Illinois.
Durbin stated, “Earlier this year, the Trump Administration began a calculated show of political theater and force designed to spread fear and terror in Illinois communities. Masked federal agents pepper sprayed, punched, body slammed, and even shot individuals, including U.S. citizens, during violent immigration enforcement actions… They deployed tear gas canisters against clergy, broke into apartments, and zip-tied children.”
He continued, “President Trump has not gone after ‘the worst of the worst,’ as he promised—instead, he has brought some of the worst, most unprofessional, and most poorly trained federal law enforcement officers and agents into our city. Because of his so-called ‘Operation Midway Blitz,’ children are afraid to go to school, businesses are closing, and families are being torn apart. Yet the Trump Administration has shown no regret. They are reveling in the fear and chaos they have created. Just look at Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino.”
According to Durbin’s remarks on Tuesday, Gregory Bovino returned to Chicago after operations in North Carolina and New Orleans. Upon arrival in Chicago, Bovino visited a picket line at Mauser Packaging Solutions involving Local 705 Teamsters.
Durbin said further: “Bovino brought federal agents to the line to intimidate and interrogate these workers. He laughed in their faces as they demanded better working conditions. In court testimony, Mr. Bovino has praised federal agents’ use of excessive force as ‘exemplary,’ even after multiple U.S. citizens were hospitalized following their encounters with his federal agents.”
He added: “When addressing federal agents prior to a confrontation with peaceful protesters, Mr. Bovino stated ‘If someone strays into a pepper ball, then that’s on them.’ Bovino has teargassed peaceful crowds, encouraged his agents to fire pepper balls at protestors, and threatened to go ‘even harder on the streets,’ when federal judges dare to order him to follow the law. But Mr. Bovino is not alone in his cruelty. Many Trump Administration officials have been posting and gloating about these clear violations of individuals’ constitutional rights.”
Under 18 U.S.C § 242 it is a crime for any person acting under color of law to willfully deprive another person of rights protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States through actions such as warrantless arrests or excessive force.
Durbin pointed out that while President Trump may be personally immune from prosecution due to a Supreme Court decision in Trump v. United States, other officials do not share this immunity.
He said: “The Trump Administration officials responsible for the use of excessive force or unlawful detentions may face criminal consequences for their role in ‘Midway Blitz.’ That is why today my colleague Senator Duckworth and I have submitted a criminal referral to the Justice Department regarding the unlawful actions of senior Administration officials and federal immigration agents in ‘Operation Midway Blitz.’”
Durbin cited an incident where a Border Patrol agent shot a Chicago woman multiple times; body-camera footage reportedly shows threats made before firing occurred followed by messages boasting about it.
“As Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee,” Durbin said,“I have directed my staff to continue gathering evidence of potential violations of Section 242,and we will provide this evidence to the Justice Department in due course.”
Other Illinois officials are also investigating related incidents—Evanston’s mayor opened an investigation into alleged police violence during an arrest; Broadview authorities are examining ICE’s use of tear gas against first responders;and tomorrow,the Illinois Accountability Commission will hold its first public hearing on chemical agent use during Operation Midway Blitz.
“There will come a time when the people responsible for assaults ,tear gassing,and unjust detention during these lawless immigration enforcement actions will face real accountability.These officials swore an oath when they began their service to preserve and protect Constitution.But in their roles as federal law enforcement officials ,there is ample evidence that they have violated very rights they promised defend,” Durbin said.
He concluded:“Today,I am putting those participating in‘Operation Midway Blitz’on notice.You can continue terrorize people.You can ignore rulings our courts ,our laws,and our Constitution.You can hide behind your masks.You can ignore due process requirements Constitution.But day will come when justice served.Day will come when you held accountable.Day will come when this pitiful display meanness intolerance become one saddest chapters nation’s history.And you held accountable.”
The Senate Judiciary Committee plays an important role overseeing issues like constitutional protections through legislative review,scrutiny over judicial nominations,and oversight over federal agencies.Its work influences civil rights ,public safety,and legal matters across country.The committee consists senators from both parties led by chairperson based Washington,D.C.,and operates within legislative branch since its creation .
Video,audio,and TV footage from Durbin’s speech are available online.
