- Today
- Holidays
- Birthdays
- Reminders
- Cities
- Atlanta
- Austin
- Baltimore
- Berwyn
- Beverly Hills
- Birmingham
- Boston
- Brooklyn
- Buffalo
- Charlotte
- Chicago
- Cincinnati
- Cleveland
- Columbus
- Dallas
- Denver
- Detroit
- Fort Worth
- Houston
- Indianapolis
- Knoxville
- Las Vegas
- Los Angeles
- Louisville
- Madison
- Memphis
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- Minneapolis
- Nashville
- New Orleans
- New York
- Omaha
- Orlando
- Philadelphia
- Phoenix
- Pittsburgh
- Portland
- Raleigh
- Richmond
- Rutherford
- Sacramento
- Salt Lake City
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose
- Seattle
- Tampa
- Tucson
- Washington
Chicago's Top Federal Prosecutor Defends Midway Blitz Operation
U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros says his office has made progress despite criticism.
Apr. 8, 2026 at 11:12pm
Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›
A federal prosecutor's aggressive tactics to root out organized crime and public corruption in Chicago face ongoing scrutiny and criticism.Chicago TodayOne year into his tenure as Chicago's top federal law enforcement officer, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros is defending his handling of Operation Midway Blitz cases, saying a changeover of the old guard and influx of new prosecutors has led to progress, despite claims from some that his office is misrepresenting reality.
Why it matters
Operation Midway Blitz was a high-profile federal crackdown on organized crime and public corruption in Chicago, led by Boutros' office. The operation has faced scrutiny and criticism, but Boutros argues his team has made important strides in rooting out entrenched criminal networks.
The details
Boutros says his office has brought in new prosecutors and taken a more aggressive approach to Midway Blitz cases, leading to progress despite claims from some that the office is misrepresenting the reality of the situation. He argues the changeover of personnel has been a key factor in the operation's ongoing efforts.
- Boutros was appointed as Chicago's U.S. Attorney in April 2025.
- Operation Midway Blitz was launched in early 2025.
The players
Andrew Boutros
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, appointed in 2025 to lead federal law enforcement efforts in the Chicago area.
What they’re saying
“We're not misrepresenting reality, and anyone who says otherwise is an armchair expert who doesn't know what they're talking about.”
— Andrew Boutros, U.S. Attorney
The takeaway
Boutros' defense of Operation Midway Blitz underscores the challenges of rooting out entrenched criminal networks, even with a new team of federal prosecutors. The operation's progress and criticisms highlight the complexities of high-profile anti-corruption efforts in a major U.S. city.
