The Trump administration is calling its new immigration sweep in North Carolina’s largest city “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
However, Martha White, granddaughter of E.B. White, the author of the beloved children’s story “Charlotte’s Web,” has expressed disapproval, stating that the recent wave of immigration arrests contradicts the values her grandfather represented. She emphasized his belief in the rule of law and due process and criticized the tactics employed in these raids, branding them as unjust.
“He certainly didn’t believe in masked men, in unmarked cars, raiding people’s homes and workplaces without IDs or summons,” said White, who serves as her grandfather's literary executor. She pointed out that the essence of “Charlotte’s Web” reflects themes of freedom and loyalty, particularly through the character of the spider, who fights for the pig Wilbur's freedom.
The Trump administration has previously adopted catchy phrases for its mass deportation strategies, dubbing their detention centers names such as Alligator Alcatraz in Florida and Speedway Slammer in Indiana.
Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official leading operations in Charlotte, previously coordinated similar enforcement actions in Los Angeles and Chicago. Adding a layer of irony, he referenced “Charlotte’s Web” in a social media post, quoting, ‘We take to the breeze, we go as we please.’ His remarks have further intensified the conversation around the administration's approach to immigration enforcement.
