Granddaughter of ‘Charlotte’s Web’ author slams immigration operation name choice

The grandson of E.B. White, author of the classic 1952 children’s book “Charlotte’s Web,” criticized the Trump administration Monday for using the book’s title as inspiration for the immigration raid in Charlotte, North Carolina, that authorities dubbed “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”

Martha White condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s reference to her grandfather’s beloved story, saying his grandfather, who died in 1985, would not support immigration sweeps in Charlotte and across the country.

“He believed in the rule of law and due process,” Martha White, who worked as her grandfather’s literary executor, said in a statement. “He absolutely did not believe in masked men, unmarked cars, people without identification or summons breaking into their homes and businesses.”

In “Charlotte’s Web”, he emphasized that the spider devoted his life on the farm to protecting the pig named Wilbur and securing his freedom.

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As the administration and Republican leaders seek to carry out President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda, they have used a variety of catchy phrases for immigration operations, including naming immigrant holding facilities Alligator Alcatraz in Florida, Speedway Slammer in Indiana and Cornhusker Clink in Nebraska.

Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol agent currently leading the operation in Charlotte, was the face of “Operation Broad” in Los Angeles and “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago earlier this year.

“Wherever the wind takes us. High, low. Near, far. East, west. North, south. We ride the breeze, we go as we please,” Bovino wrote in a social media post Sunday, shortly after the influx of migrants began in North Carolina’s largest city. he said.

“This time the wind has hit Charlotte like a storm. Our agents are going where the mission calls, from border towns to the Queen City,” he continued.

Immigrant screening began over the weekend, and DHS said Monday that more than 130 immigrants were detained in two days. The agency also said about 1,400 Immigration and Customs Enforcement detainees were not honored by local officials.

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Martha White said her grandfather, who died in 1985, would not support immigration sweeps in Charlotte and across the country. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Officials in Charlotte have vowed to resist immigrant influxes and defend the immigrant community.

Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chairman Mark Jerrell and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education President Stephanie Sneed said in a joint statement Monday that the raids “cause unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community, as recent operations in other cities have resulted in the detention of individuals with no criminal records and violent protests as a result of unwarranted actions.”

“Our organizations believe our diversity makes us stronger,” the statement reads. “And with that belief, we are unwavering in our commitment to a safe and welcoming community where everyone can grow and thrive. It is critical that all of our residents feel safe in our community and know that they can live their lives without fear while walking down the street, going to school, work or the grocery store.”

“We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know that we stand with all residents who want to make a living by contributing to our broader community,” the statement added. “Each of our organizations is committed to protecting the rights and dignity of the people we serve. We are committed to complying with the law and protecting the rights of everyone who calls Charlotte and Mecklenburg County home.”

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said the operation “instilled fear and divided our community.” (Getty Images/Allison Joyce)

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North Carolina Governor Josh Stein also stated that the operation “inspires fear and divides our society.”

“We have seen masked, heavily armed agents dressed in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling, and randomly picking up people in parking lots and on our sidewalks,” Stein said in a video posted on X.

Trump has targeted Democratic-led cities for immigration sweeps as part of his mass deportation plan. Earlier this year, his administration reversed the Biden administration’s rule banning raids on sensitive areas such as churches, schools and hospitals.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.