The Trump administration is implementing a new immigration sweep in Charlotte, North Carolina’s largest city, branded as 'Operation Charlotte’s Web.' This initiative has faced backlash from notable voices, including the granddaughter of E.B. White, the author of the cherished 1952 children's novel 'Charlotte’s Web.'
Martha White, acting as her grandfather's literary executor, asserted that the current wave of immigration arrests runs counter to the ethics and principles outlined in her grandfather's work. She emphasized, 'He believed in the rule of law and due process. He certainly didn’t believe in masked men, in unmarked cars, raiding people’s homes and workplaces.'
In 'Charlotte’s Web,' the character Charlotte, a spider, dedicates her life to ensuring the well-being and freedom of a pig named Wilbur, which Martha argues reflects values of compassion and justice that contrast sharply with the actions of current immigration enforcement.
The Trump administration has previously adopted lighthearted names for mass deportation efforts, such as 'Alligator Alcatraz' in Florida and 'Speedway Slammer' in Indiana. These phrases often juxtapose the serious nature of the initiatives.
The head of the Charlotte operation, Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official, is known for his previous roles in significant enforcement actions. He quoted E.B. White in a recent social media post, adding a layer of irony to the situation: 'We take to the breeze, we go as we please.'
