
The Block Club Chicago Podcast ‘Lying Constantly’ - How The Feds Used Propaganda During Midway Blitz
Dec 9, 2025
Patrick Filbin, a reporter for Block Club Chicago focusing on Homeland Security, dives deep into the propaganda tactics used by DHS during Operation Midway Blitz. He reveals how the agency transformed violent encounters into heroic narratives, often contradicting local facts. Filbin discusses specific incidents, like the conflicting accounts of the Franklin Park shooting and misleading videos from the South Shore raid. His insights on how DHS undermines local media and manipulates public perception highlight the urgent need for accountability in reporting.
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Federal Messaging Crossed Into Propaganda
- Propaganda is a systematic, deliberate campaign to influence public opinion, not just simple spin.
- Patrick Filbin says experts confirmed DHS messaging fit this definition during Midway Blitz.
Franklin Park Shooting Contradicted Initial Claims
- An ICE agent fatally shot Silverio Villegas Gonzalez during a stop, and initial DHS claims said the agent was seriously injured.
- Patrick Filbin reports bodycam and witness details contradicted the agency's early account.
South Shore Raid Video Versus Weak Evidence
- DHS released a cinematic video after the South Shore raid claiming major gang arrests and showing dramatic arrests.
- Patrick Filbin says prosecutors later filed few charges and ProPublica found weak evidence for those gang claims.
