Judge rejects request for special prosecutor to investigate ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ abuses
Courts & JusticeImmigrationGov & Politics
May 21, 2026 | 7:37 pm ET
By Hannah Meisel
Judge rejects request for special prosecutor to investigate ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ abuses
A Cook County judge has rejected a petition for the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate alleged abuses during Operation Midway Blitz.
CHICAGO — A Cook County judge on Thursday denied a petition to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute alleged abuses by federal immigration agents during the Trump administration’s Chicago-focused “Operation Midway Blitz” mass deportation campaign last fall.
The ruling alleviates — at least for now — months of pressure on Cook County State’s Attorney Eileen O’Neill Burke to launch such probes herself.
Cook County Judge Erica Reddick sided with Burke’s long-argued position that her office has limited legal authority to initiate investigations without a request from law enforcement, ruling that the state’s attorney’s office “does not bear responsibility” for doing so, as those pushing for a special prosecutor had claimed.
Read more: Judge delays decision on special prosecutor for ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ to review new developments | Mid-May ruling set for special prosecutor demand to investigate alleged ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ abuses | Legal battle intensifies over appointing special prosecutor for alleged ‘Operation Midway Blitz’ abuses
“Since the state’s attorney does not have the authority to initiate a widespread investigation, it cannot be shown that the state’s attorney, at least at this point, has abandoned her duty,” Reddick said, echoing language from a March 12 petition seeking the appointment of a special prosecutor.
https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/judge-rejects-request-special-prosecutor-investigate-operation-midway-blitz-abuses
