A 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals panel ruled 2-1 to vacate a district court’s preliminary injunction restricting federal immigration agents’ use of force during Operation Midway Blitz, the Trump administration’s Chicago enforcement surge targeting illegal immigrants and crime.
The appeals court called the lower court’s order “overbroad” and “constitutionally suspect,” and vacated it to prevent future impact. AG Pam Bondi hailed it as a “huge legal win” for Trump’s law-and-order agenda amid local resistance. The case stemmed from 2025 clashes involving tear gas; the underlying suit was dismissed without prejudice after the operation ended, allowing potential refiling.
Reacting to the situation, AG Pam Bondi stated, “Tonight the @thejusticedept delivered a huge legal win in the 7th Circuit for President Trump in support of Operation Midway Blitz — @POTUS’s crucial law enforcement surge into Chicago.”
“President Trump is trying to protect American citizens while local elected officials REFUSE to do so. @thejusticedept attorneys were proud to argue this case. We will continue fighting and WINNING for the President’s law-and-order agenda,” she added.
In its ruling on the matter, the 7th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals “granted an overbroad, constitutionally suspect injunction.” Further, it added, “Because the district court dismissed this case without prejudice—against the plaintiffs’ unopposed request for a dismissal with prejudice—any class members or the lead plaintiffs could refile these claims tomorrow.”
“They could ask the district court to reinstate a near-identical preliminary injunction, adopting the facts and legal reasoning from the district court’s order,” the court wrote, adding that doing so would be the “best way to wipe the slate clean” and “proper to ensure the district court’s injunction order does not affect future litigation.”
Celebrating the win on social media, one commentator added, “7th Circuit SLAPS DOWN Obama-appointed Judge Sara Ellis’ ridiculous injunction against ICE/Border Patrol in Chicago. No more micromanaging agents with tear gas limits or daily court check-ins for Cmdr. Bovino. Operation Midway Blitz agents can do their jobs!”
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“Obama appointee’s Chicago immigration order backfires after court says she went too far. Judge Sara Ellis’ sweeping injunction against Operation Midway Blitz in Chicago gets tossed by two Trump appointees on 7th Circuit,” another pointed out.
Similarly, Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino stated, “Chicago efforts vindicated!!! Well done. What’s not suspect is legal, ethical, and moral, Border Patrol Agents conducting operations in Chicago. Well done, Border Patrol! TRUTH came through!”
He also described his agents as the “most highly trained, experienced agency ready to take on expeditionary type missions in the toughest of environments,” and added, “Our operations are conducted with much foresight with the most experienced, proven, and battle hardened agents the Border Patrol has to offer to ensure we WIN every time.”
Defending the irritating judge, one biased left-wing activist stated, “Ellis was one of the only judges who did anything about the series of escalating abuses from CBP,…she investigated and found numerous instances of perjury, constitutional violations, and other crimes. This unnecessary lecture from the 7th circuit amounts to: stop it.”
Watch the Chicago police chief try and fail to dispute the claims of a stand-down order allowing ICE agents in Chicago operating as part of Midway Blitz to be attacked here: