Chicago Mayor Vows to Prosecute Border Patrol Commander Bovino

Johnson says Bovino created 'chaos' during immigration crackdown in Chicago

Jan. 28, 2026 at 6:39pm

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In a speech in Washington, D.C., Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said he will work to prosecute Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino for his actions during immigration enforcement operations in Chicago last year. Johnson accused Bovino of creating 'chaos' and ignoring the rule of law, and said the city will pursue litigation, legislation, and other measures to hold Bovino accountable.

Why it matters

Bovino became a controversial figure during the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration, with his aggressive tactics and public confrontations with local officials drawing widespread criticism. Johnson's pledge to prosecute Bovino represents an escalation in the battle between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.

The details

Bovino was the public face of Operation Midway Blitz, which led to the detention of 4,500 people in the Chicago area. He chided local Democratic officials, angered a federal judge, and was seen on camera throwing tear gas canisters at protesters. Bovino also played a prominent role in federal actions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area before being sidelined this week following the shooting deaths of two civilians by federal agents.

  • In 2025, Bovino led immigration enforcement operations in the Chicago area as part of Operation Midway Blitz.
  • In January 2026, Bovino was involved in federal actions in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area before being sidelined this week.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The Democratic mayor of Chicago who is vowing to prosecute Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino.

Greg Bovino

The Border Patrol commander who was the public face of immigration enforcement operations in Chicago and Minneapolis-St. Paul, drawing widespread criticism for his aggressive tactics.

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What they’re saying

“Whether it's litigation, whether it's press conferences or whether it's legislation, the next step that we're going to have to try — and I'm committed to doing this — is how to set up a pathway for someone like Gregory Bovino to be prosecuted.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (chicagotribune.com)

“Their behavior is hypocritical and contradictory to their rhetoric. How do you call for law and order while at the same time literally ignoring the rule of law, creating more chaos than this country has seen in a generation? And so yes, prosecution has to be the next step for full accountability.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The judge in any potential case against Bovino will decide on whether to allow him to be prosecuted.

The takeaway

Mayor Johnson's pledge to prosecute Bovino represents an escalation in the battle between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement, with Johnson accusing Bovino of creating 'chaos' and ignoring the rule of law during his high-profile immigration crackdown operations in Chicago and elsewhere.