The granddaughter of E.B. White, the celebrated author of the 1952 children’s classic “Charlotte’s Web,” publicly criticized the Trump administration on Monday. The criticism came in response to the administration’s decision to name an immigration operation in Charlotte, North Carolina, “Operation Charlotte’s Web.”
Martha White, expressing disapproval, stated that her grandfather, who passed away in 1985, would not have endorsed these immigration raids. She condemned the Department of Homeland Security’s choice to associate its actions with her grandfather’s cherished book.
“He stood by the principles of the rule of law and due process,” Martha White, who manages her grandfather’s literary estate, declared in a statement. “He certainly would not have supported masked individuals in unmarked vehicles conducting raids on homes and workplaces without proper identification or legal warrants.”
She highlighted that in “Charlotte’s Web,” the central character, a spider named Charlotte, dedicated herself to saving the life of a pig named Wilbur, striving to ensure his safety and freedom.
U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is seen observing as a detainee sits near a vehicle on Monday, November 17, 2025, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (AP)
The administration, along with Republican leaders, has adopted various catchy names for immigration initiatives as part of President Donald Trump’s deportation strategy. These names include Alligator Alcatraz for a facility in Florida, Speedway Slammer in Indiana, and Cornhusker Clink in Nebraska.
Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official now leading the operation in Charlotte, was the face of the “Operation At Large” 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 take to the breeze, we go as we please,’” Bovino quoted from “Charlotte’s Web” in a social media post on Sunday, shortly after the immigration sweep in North Carolina’s largest city began.
“This time, the breeze hit Charlotte like a storm. From border towns to the Queen City, our agents go where the mission calls,” he continued.
The immigration sweep began over the weekend, and DHS said on Monday that more than 130 migrants were arrested in two days. The agency also said nearly 1,400 detainers from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have not been honored by local authorities.
Martha White said her grandfather, who died in 1985, would not support the immigration sweeps in Charlotte and across the country. (Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Officials in Charlotte have vowed to resist the immigration sweeps and stand up for the migrant community.
In a joint statement on Monday, Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, Mecklenburg County Board of Commissioners Chair Mark Jerrell and Charlotte-Mecklenburg Board of Education Chair Stephanie Sneed said the raids are “causing unnecessary fear and uncertainty in our community as recent operations in other cities have resulted in people without criminal records being detained and violent protests being the result of unwarranted actions.”
“Our organizations believe that 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 for all residents to feel secure in our community and know they can live their lives without being fearful while walking down the street, going to school, work or the grocery store.”
“We want people in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County to know we stand with all residents who simply want to go about their lives, contributing to our larger community,” it added. “Each of our organizations have made commitments to the people we serve to protect their rights and dignity. We are committed to following the law and to protecting the rights of all people who call Charlotte and Mecklenburg County home.”
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said the operation is “stoking fear and dividing our community.” (Getty Images/Allison Joyce)
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein also stated that the operation is “stoking fear and dividing our community.”
“We’ve seen masked, heavily armed agents in paramilitary garb driving unmarked cars targeting American citizens based on their skin color, racially profiling and picking up random people in parking lots and off of our sidewalks,” Stein said in a video posted to X.
Trump has targeted Democrat-led cities for migrant sweeps as part of his mass deportation plan. His administration earlier this year reversed a Biden administration rule that prohibited raids in sensitive areas such as churches, schools and hospitals.
