It’s Beginning To Look Like Open Rebellion In Blue Cities

Kristi Noem Leads Federal Operation Against Criminal Immigrants in Chicago

In mid-September 2025, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem took a hands-on role in a high-profile federal law enforcement operation in Chicago, dubbed Operation Midway Blitz. The operation targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal records, focusing on those alleged to have taken refuge in Illinois due to its sanctuary policies.

On the Ground Leadership

Noem personally joined federal agents on the ground, emphasizing the federal government’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws where local officials have failed. She stated, “President Trump has been clear: if politicians will not put the safety of their citizens first, this administration will. I was on the ground in Chicago today to make clear we are not backing down.”

The operation aimed to arrest what Noem described as the “worst of the worst,” including individuals charged with assault, DUI, and felony stalking. Federal agents reportedly used chemical munitions and crowd control measures to respond to violent resistance from some protesters outside the ICE facility.

Rising Tensions and Local Criticism

Operation Midway Blitz escalated tensions between federal and local authorities. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson criticized the deployment of federal forces, calling it unconstitutional and disruptive to immigrant communities. Democratic lawmakers also raised concerns over the legality and tactics of the operation, sending formal inquiries to DHS seeking answers.

Noem defended the methods used by federal agents, including the wearing of protective masks, citing a significant rise in assaults against ICE officers in recent months. She stressed that the operation focused solely on criminal activity, not on peaceful immigrants or families.

Implications

The Chicago operation highlights the ongoing national debate over sanctuary cities, immigration enforcement, and the role of federal authorities in local jurisdictions. By taking an active leadership role, Secretary Noem has positioned herself as a strong advocate for aggressive federal enforcement, signaling that similar operations could continue in other sanctuary jurisdictions if local authorities fail to act.

It’s starting to look like outright rebellion in America’s big blue cities. In Portland, Oregon, federal law enforcement is surging in to smash Antifa’s siege of the ICE facility. What started as “protests” has spiraled into full-blown riots — with mobs clashing not only with local police but with federal agents brought in to restore order.

On Saturday, chaos flared in Chicago — the so-called “sanctuary city” run by one of the nation’s most inept mayors, Brandon Johnson. By Sunday, DHS revealed just how ugly it’s getting: photos of two handguns seized from anti-ICE rioters, along with confirmation that at least one improvised explosive device had also been confiscated. The warning signs are clear — this powder keg is ready to blow.

Federal law enforcement agents deployed pepper balls and tear gas Friday during a standoff with anti-ICE protesters outside of Chicago. The confrontation came just two days after a shooter opened fire at an ICE facility in Dallas, Texas. The gunman in that incident killed one detainee and injured two others before taking his own life, authorities said.

At least 50 protesters were seen midday Friday at an ICE processing center in Broadview, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. An ICE spokesperson told Fox News that two were arrested, one of whom was carrying a firearm. This is not the first time that issues have arisen at this ICE facility in the Chicago area: Last week, violent clashes between protesters and ICE agents at the facility led to 16 arrests.

In the demonstration, “rioters and sanctuary politicians obstructed law enforcement, threw tear gas cans, rocks, bottles, and fireworks, slashed tires of cars, blocked the entrance of the building, and trespassed on private property,” the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said, adding that rioters also assaulted law enforcement officials. The discovery of an IED marks a dangerous new level of escalation. From the DHS photo — and while details are speculative — the device looks like a taped-up sphere with a fuse attached, the kind you’d expect on a model rocket.

Whether it’s metal or ceramic isn’t clear, but one thing is: this wasn’t some harmless prop. It appears designed to be hurled into chaos, not hidden away for later. Put bluntly, what DHS seized looks an awful lot like an improvised hand grenade. Maybe it’s packed with a smoke compound to cover up rioters’ moves, maybe it’s something worse — either way, the fact that armed agitators are now showing up with makeshift weapons like this marks a serious and dangerous escalation.