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What to know about immigration enforcement raids in Chicago after nearly 2 months

As the Trump administration’s mass deportation raids enter their second month, their impact has been felt across the Chicago region and the nation. Political tensions have deepened, hundreds have been detained or arrested, and thousands have protested—from a two-story brick U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in suburban Broadview to city street corners and suburban downtowns.

Throughout it all, activists, protesters, and journalists have faced tear gas and pepper ball rounds. President Donald Trump’s threats to send in the National Guard—first to quell crime in Chicago, then to assist ICE and Border Patrol agents—have, for the moment, not come to fruition.

Here’s what we know about federal immigration enforcement in and around Chicago, as well as other immigration-related stories and the National Guard deployment.

**Stay current with the latest news by subscribing to the Chicago Tribune and signing up for our free Immigration Bulletin newsletter.**

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### How We Got Here

On September 8, President Donald Trump’s Department of Homeland Security announced a surge in immigration enforcement in Chicago, dubbing it “Operation Midway Blitz.” The operation targets what officials refer to as “criminal illegal aliens” who have allegedly benefited from the city and state’s sanctuary policies.

This announcement came more than two weeks after Trump said he planned to target Chicago due to its crime rates. In response, Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker and Mayor Brandon Johnson warned residents about potential immigration sweeps.

“Let’s be clear, the terror and cruelty is the point, not the safety of anyone living here,” Pritzker said on September 2.

Trump had set the stage for the operation with a social media post showing military helicopters flying over Chicago’s lakefront skyline under the title “Chipocalypse Now.” “Chicago is about to find out why it’s called the Department of WAR,” Trump wrote, a day after signing an executive order renaming the Department of Defense to its pre-1949 title.

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### ICE in and Around Chicago

Operation Midway Blitz has been visible throughout Chicago and its suburbs. Incidents have ranged from tear gas deployed in Logan Square and the detention of a mother and child at Millennium Park to a manhunt in suburban Mount Prospect and multiple arrests involving rideshare drivers at O’Hare International Airport.

A federal judge has ruled that all immigration enforcement agents must wear body cameras. The judge expressed particular concern over alleged violations during recent clashes, including an incident on Chicago’s East Side where agents used a controversial and potentially dangerous tactic to disable a fleeing vehicle before deploying tear gas during a tense gathering.

Tear gas usage by federal agents during immigration raids has escalated lately—from neighborhoods like Little Village to Lakeview and Irving Park.

On September 12, the operation took a violent turn when agents fatally shot a man in Franklin Park. The man, identified by federal officials as Silverio Villegas-Gonzalez, a 38-year-old Mexican citizen living illegally in the U.S., allegedly tried to flee a traffic stop and struck the officer with his vehicle.

On October 4, federal immigration authorities shot a Chicago woman in Brighton Park, after she allegedly tried to impede them. In the shooting’s aftermath, protesters gathered at the intersection to confront federal forces. Some threw water bottles as agents responded with tear gas and flash-bang grenades.

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### Impact on Local Communities

Gig workers, street vendors, and day laborers have been caught up in the crackdown. Emotional arrests have unfolded in the region, including one where federal agents detained a man outside his Naperville apartment as his young sons watched and cried “Pa, te amo.”

In other cases, a Rogers Park man was fined $130 for not carrying his legal papers during questioning, and an Oak Park attorney arrested near a school described agents pointing guns at him and referencing a “Chiraq Team 2” group chat.

Federal immigration raids have also targeted local businesses and events:
– Swap-O-Rama on the Southwest Side was raided by federal agents.
– Videos of targeted raids in Carpentersville circulated online, including activity near the village hall.
– A flower vendor arrested during the launch of Operation Midway Blitz was deported to Mexico.

Waukegan’s mayor has even stepped in during a Border Patrol arrest to ensure the safety of residents.

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### What’s Happening in Broadview?

The small suburb of Broadview has become a national spotlight due to confrontations between federal agents and protestors at the local ICE processing center. Since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz in early September, protesters have held near-daily demonstrations outside the facility.

Larger crowds—and subsequent arrests—often gather on Fridays and Sundays, sometimes violating Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson’s order that protests only occur between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.

A controversial 8-foot-high security fence erected by federal officials outside the facility was torn down on October 14 following a court order. Broadview officials pushed back, deeming the fence “illegally built,” and demanded the Department of Homeland Security remove it.

Residents remain fearful as the ICE center becomes a battleground amid the immigration blitz. Mayor Thompson, who is the first Black woman to lead Broadview, has refused to take “a position of fear” while navigating the national attention.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem recently indicated that ICE may expand operations in Broadview, stating, “we’re here to stay.”

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### Chicago Takes Action

In Chicago, aldermen and residents are responding in various ways—leading street patrols, sounding whistles to alert communities of enforcement activity, and organizing protests.

“We’ll do everything in our power to make sure that ICE is out of Chicago,” Alderman Michael Rodriguez of Little Village told the Tribune on October 3.

Numerous U.S. citizens and others have reported being detained or questioned, including:
– A 44-year-old U.S. citizen zip-tied and questioned after work at a downtown bar.
– A Rogers Park man fined for not carrying his legal documents during questioning.

If stopped by ICE, here is what you should do to protect yourself.

Local clergy and faith leaders have publicly condemned the crackdown as “antithetical to the Gospel,” while cafes and restaurants across the city have posted signs barring immigration agents.

Community activism continues ward by ward, with faith leaders offering resources, moral support, and solidarity to those affected.

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### The “No Kings” Protests

On October 18, the “Hands Off Chicago” protest at Butler Field in Grant Park drew a large crowd. The sound of whistles—an ominous warning signaling ICE activity in recent weeks—rang out as a sign of solidarity and resistance.

Mayor Brandon Johnson addressed the crowd:

“There are those in this country that have decided, at the behest of this president, to declare war on Chicago and American cities across this country,” Johnson said, eliciting boos from attendees.

“They have clearly decided that they want a rematch of the Civil War. But we are here to stand firm, to stay committed, that we will not bend, we will not bow, we will not cower, we will not submit.”

This demonstration was one of roughly 2,500 similar protests nationwide—another flashpoint in Trump’s ongoing immigration crackdown.

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### Could the National Guard Be Next?

Governor J.B. Pritzker has repeatedly criticized the Trump administration’s plans to deploy the National Guard to Chicago, arguing that the stated purpose—combating violent crime—is a cover for militarizing Democratic-controlled cities as political payback.

Appearing on ABC’s *This Week* on October 13, Pritzker said the administration’s goal is to “militarize, especially blue cities and blue states.”

On October 17, the Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court for permission to dispatch troops to the Chicago area while an appeal is pending.

However, a federal judge in Chicago extended a restraining order on October 22, barring President Trump from deploying the National Guard in Illinois as officials await a Supreme Court ruling that could decide the case.

Members of the Texas National Guard arrived in the Chicago area on October 7 as part of preparations.

Trump has discussed invoking the two-century-old Insurrection Act—a statutory exception to the Posse Comitatus Act—which would allow U.S. military involvement in law enforcement during a “rebellion” or when enforcing federal law is deemed “impractical.”

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The situation remains fluid as Chicago and its suburbs grapple with the ongoing immigration enforcement surge, community resistance, and the looming possibility of National Guard deployment.

Stay informed with the Chicago Tribune for the latest updates on this critical issue.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/27/chicago-immigration-enforcement-raids/

Man fleeing immigration agents is fatally struck by a vehicle on a Virginia highway

A 24-year-old Honduran man, Josué Castro Rivera, who was fleeing federal immigration agents in Virginia, died on a highway after being struck by a vehicle. His death follows recent incidents in which three other immigrants in Chicago and California were killed during immigration enforcement operations under the Trump administration’s crackdown.

Castro Rivera was headed to a gardening job on Thursday when his vehicle was pulled over by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, according to his brother, Henry Castro. Agents attempted to detain Castro Rivera and the three other passengers in the vehicle. Castro Rivera fled on foot, tried to cross Interstate 264 in Norfolk, and was fatally struck by a passing vehicle, according to state and federal authorities.

Castro Rivera had come to the United States four years ago and was working to send money to his family in Honduras, his brother said. “He had a very good heart,” Henry Castro shared on Sunday.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Castro Rivera’s vehicle was stopped by ICE as part of a “targeted, intelligence-based” operation. Passengers were detained for allegedly living in the country without legal permission. DHS said in a statement that Castro Rivera “resisted heavily and fled,” and died after being hit by a passing vehicle.

Virginia State Police reported that officers responded to a vehicle-pedestrian crash at around 11 a.m. Thursday on eastbound I-264 near the Military Highway interchange. The victim was struck by a 2002 Ford pickup and pronounced dead at the scene. The crash remains under investigation.

Federal authorities and state police referred to the man as Jose, while family members said his name was Josué. Neither DHS nor state police have explained the discrepancy.

Henry Castro called his brother’s death an injustice and is raising funds to transport Josué’s body back to Honduras for the funeral. “He didn’t deserve everything that happened to him,” he said.

DHS blamed Castro Rivera’s death on “a direct result of every politician, activist and reporter who continue to spread propaganda and misinformation about ICE’s mission and ways to avoid detention.”

Similar deaths during immigration operations elsewhere have sparked protests, lawsuits, and calls for investigations amid claims that initial accounts by the Trump administration were misleading.

Last month, in suburban Chicago, federal immigration agents fatally shot a Mexican man during a traffic stop. DHS initially claimed a federal officer was “seriously injured,” but police body camera footage later showed the officer walking around and describing the injuries as minor.

In July, a farmworker died after falling from a greenhouse roof during a chaotic ICE raid at a California cannabis facility. And in August, another man fled from federal agents onto a freeway in California and was fatally struck by a vehicle.

These incidents highlight ongoing concerns about the methods and consequences of immigration enforcement operations in the United States.
https://abc7.com/post/man-fleeing-immigration-agents-is-fatally-struck-vehicle-virginia-highway/18076914/

Biden calls these ‘dark days’ as he urges Americans to ‘get back up’

Former President Joe Biden called these “dark days” as he urged Americans to stay optimistic and not to check out in response to what he describes as attacks on free speech and tests on the limits of executive power by President Donald Trump.

“Since its founding, America served as a beacon for the most powerful idea ever in government in the history of the world,” Biden said. “The idea is stronger than any army. We’re more powerful than a dictator.”

Biden, 82, speaking publicly for the first time since completing a round of radiation therapy for an aggressive form of prostate cancer, addressed an audience in Boston on Sunday night after receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

He emphasized that America depends on a presidency with limited power, a functioning Congress, and an autonomous judiciary. With the federal government facing its second-longest shutdown on record, Trump has used the funding lapse as a way to exercise new command over the government.

“Friends, I can’t sugarcoat any of this. These are dark days,” Biden said before predicting the country would “find our true compass again” and “emerge as we always have — stronger, wiser, more resilient, more just — so long as we keep the faith.”

Biden highlighted examples of people standing their ground against threats from the current administration, citing federal employees who resign in protest, as well as universities and comedians targeted by Trump.

“The late night hosts continue to shine a light on free speech knowing their careers are on the line,” he said.

Biden also praised elected Republican officials who vote or openly go against the Trump administration.

“America is not a fairy tale,” he said. “For 250 years, it’s been a constant push and pull, an existential struggle between peril and possibility.”

He concluded his speech by urging people to “get back up.”

The Democrat left office in January after serving one term in the White House. Biden dropped his bid for reelection amid pressure following a disastrous debate against Trump and growing concerns about his age, health, and mental fitness.

Vice President Kamala Harris launched her bid immediately afterward but lost to Trump last November.

In May, Biden’s post-presidential office announced that he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and that it had spread to his bones.
https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/biden-calls-dark-days-urges-americans-back-126890068

Endangered North Atlantic right whales are making a slow comeback

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**Slow but Steady: North Atlantic Right Whale Population Shows Signs of Recovery**

The North Atlantic right whale (*Eubalaena glacialis*) is one of the most endangered large whales in the world. Their very name reflects their tragic history: these whales were considered the “right” whales for whalers to target, as they floated after being killed, making them easier to harvest.

Today, their biggest threats are ship collisions and entanglement in fishing gear. However, for once, there’s some good news from the marine conservation community.

According to a statement from the New England Aquarium, estimates for North Atlantic right whale populations are slowly increasing. Researchers from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, New England Aquarium, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) estimate that, in 2024, there were around 384 individuals—a 2.1 percent increase from the previous year’s count.

So far, 2025 has also shown promise. Heather Pettis, senior scientist at the New England Aquarium, shared with *Popular Science* that there have been 11 known calf births, zero detected deaths, and notably fewer significant entanglements and vessel strikes this year.

“The population increase is really good news, and so far, what we’ve seen in 2025 is also encouraging,” Pettis explains. However, she cautions, “We’re talking about a population of 384 individual whales—that’s still incredibly low. Yes, we’re seeing increases. They’re small, and we still are seeing injuries to animals from human activities. So, I say that we’re cautiously optimistic.”

Pettis emphasizes that conservation efforts must continue with urgency. Both regulatory processes and initiatives beyond regulation are essential. Creative industry solutions and public awareness campaigns play a critical role in protecting these whales.

In Massachusetts, for example, Cape Cod has implemented fishing limits during times when right whales are known to be present as part of its mitigation strategy.

One promising innovation involves new on-demand fishing technology currently being trialed in the U.S. and Canada. This technology aims to prevent whale entanglements by keeping vertical ropes—those that connect traps on the seafloor to buoys at the surface—out of the water column until fishermen need to retrieve their gear.

“Removing those vertical ropes from the water is a huge conservation benefit to right whales,” Pettis explains.

When it comes to reducing ship collisions, many stakeholders are exploring ways to better connect with mariners, informing them when they are entering areas where slowing down would benefit the whales.

Another potential avenue is related to right whale eyesight. A study on humpback whales published earlier this year suggests that their vision may be poorer than previously thought, meaning they might not see fishing gear until it’s too late to avoid it.

While similar studies on right whale eyesight haven’t been published, Pettis notes that there are discussions about which colors right whales might see better underwater. “Are there ways in which we could alter the color of ropes? Might that help? So that’s a lingering question,” she says.

As the North Atlantic right whale population slowly recovers, ongoing efforts combining science, technology, and community engagement remain vital to ensuring its future survival.
https://www.popsci.com/environment/endangered-north-atlantic-right-whales-are-making-a-slow-comeback/

Venezuela’s Maduro says the US is fabricating a war and seeks to revoke citizenship of opponent

CARACAS (AP) — Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro said the U.S. government is “fabricating” a war against him as the world’s biggest warship approached the South American country, while moving to revoke the citizenship of an opponent he accuses of inciting an invasion.

Maduro stated in a national broadcast on Friday night that the administration of President Donald Trump is “fabricating a new eternal war” as the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford, which can host up to 90 airplanes and attack helicopters, moves closer to Venezuela.

On Saturday, the Venezuelan president also referred to the pressure he has felt from the U.S. government as he initiated legal proceedings to revoke the citizenship and cancel the passport of opposition politician Leopoldo López.

“They promised they would never again get involved in a war and they are fabricating a war that we will avoid,” said Maduro during Friday night’s address.

Trump has accused Maduro, without providing evidence, of being the leader of the organized crime gang Tren de Aragua. “They are fabricating an extravagant narrative, a vulgar, criminal and totally fake one,” Maduro added. “Venezuela is a country that does not produce cocaine leaves.”

American forces have destroyed several boats off the Venezuelan coast, allegedly linked to drug trafficking into the United States. At least 43 people were killed in those attacks.

Tren de Aragua, which originated from a Venezuelan prison, is more known for its involvement in contract killings, extortion, and people smuggling than for playing a major role in global drug trafficking.

Maduro was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, and countries including the U.S. have called for him to step down.

Earlier, Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez stated on her Telegram account that Maduro had appealed to the country’s Supreme Court of Justice to revoke López’s nationality for his “grotesque, criminal, and illegal call for a military invasion of Venezuela.”

López, a prominent Venezuelan opposition figure who has been exiled in Spain since 2020, has publicly expressed support for the deployment of U.S. ships in the Caribbean and attacks on suspected drug trafficking vessels.

The vice president said that López’s passport will be revoked “immediately,” and he is also accused of promoting “economic blockage” and “calling for the mass murder of Venezuelans in complicity with enemy and foreign governments.”

In response, López dismissed the move on his X account, stating, “According to the Constitution, no Venezuelan born in Venezuela can have their nationality revoked.” He reiterated his support for U.S. military deployment and military actions in the country.

“Maduro wants to take away my nationality for saying what all Venezuelans think and want: freedom,” López wrote. “After having stolen the 2024 election, we agree to pursue all avenues to end the dictatorship,” he added.

López spent more than three years in a military prison after participating in anti-government protests in 2014. He was sentenced to over 13 years in prison on charges of “instigation and conspiracy to commit a crime.”

He was later granted house arrest and, after being freed by a group of military personnel during a political crisis in Venezuela, left the country in 2020.

https://whdh.com/news/venezuelas-maduro-says-the-us-is-fabricating-a-war-and-seeks-to-revoke-citizenship-of-opponent/

Federal immigration agents deploy tear gas in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood

Federal immigration agents once again deployed tear gas on the streets of Chicago this Saturday, despite increasing scrutiny from a federal judge regarding their use of chemical weapons. The agents released tear gas in the Irving Park neighborhood on the city’s northwest side.

Videos captured at the intersection of North Kildare Avenue and West Old Irving Park show a group of local residents marching down the street, filming the incident, and blowing whistles while vocally confronting the federal agents. The officers, all masked and some wearing sunglasses, faced the crowd as tensions escalated.

Carlos Rodriguez, a resident who recorded the videos, can be heard saying, “The (expletive) out of here man. The fuck are you guys doing here? Get out of our city.” Another man yells, “Hey, you are all (expletive) cowards.” A woman also demands that the officers, who bore Border Patrol insignia, show their identification. Throughout the scene, the piercing sound of whistles echoed down the block.

Some of the agents drove away in a white SUV as the crowd called them fascists, but another vehicle without license plates remained on site. In a separate video, thick plumes of smoke billowed down the street as the crowd’s chants and whistles intensified. Onlookers scrambled to the sidewalk to avoid the chemical agents; one man was even seen barefoot and wearing his Chicago Blackhawks pajamas.

“Tear gas at Old Irving Park, right now,” Rodriguez says in the footage. “Our own neighborhood. Scaring our children. Unbelievable. Never thought this would happen in my neighborhood. Scaring our children to death. Thinking that this is a cool thing to do.”

In recent weeks, immigration agents have used tear gas in multiple Chicago neighborhoods including Logan Square, Brighton Park, Little Village, East Side, and Lakeview. These actions have drawn intense criticism and legal scrutiny amid allegations of excessive force and claims that the agents are violating a federal court order designed to limit the use of chemical weapons.

U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis recently ordered Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino to appear in court personally this Tuesday, as part of an ongoing inquiry examining possible violations of her restraining order on crowd-control tactics, including the deployment of tear gas during Operation Midway Blitz.

Federal officials’ credibility has been repeatedly questioned during the Trump administration’s Operations Midway Blitz, including by U.S. District Judge April Perry. Judge Perry recently stated that the federal government has a credibility problem, rendering many of their claims “unreliable.”

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously defended the use of tear gas in Little Village last Thursday, initially stating that their agents had been surrounded by protesters who struck Chief Bovino in the head with a rock. On Saturday, DHS released a statement supporting its use of tear gas in Lakeview, stating that agents were “swarmed by agitators” who allegedly tried to deflate a vehicle’s tires.

At this time, the department has not commented on the most recent use of tear gas in Irving Park.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/10/25/chicago-tear-gas-irving-park/

Trump pardons Binance founder Changpeng Zhao after Biden’s ‘war on crypto’

**President Donald Trump Pardons Binance Founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao**

*By OAN Staff, Katherine Mosack | 9:09 AM Friday, October 24, 2025*

President Donald Trump has granted a pardon to Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the founder of cryptocurrency exchange Binance.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt released a statement on Thursday, saying that Trump “exercised his constitutional authority by issuing a pardon for Mr. Zhao, who was prosecuted by the Biden Administration in their war on cryptocurrency.”

“In their desire to punish the cryptocurrency industry, the Biden Administration pursued Mr. Zhao despite no allegations of fraud or identifiable victims,” she noted. “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.”

The pardon clears Zhao of his 2023 conviction for violating the Bank Secrecy Act and failing to maintain anti-money-laundering controls in his currency exchange. At the time, prosecutors claimed that Binance was a hub for illicit transactions where criminal organizations laundered billions.

Binance paid a $4.3 billion fine to settle federal charges and was subsequently banned from operating in the United States. After serving four months in prison, Zhao stepped down from his role as CEO.

“Deeply grateful for today’s pardon and to President Trump for upholding America’s commitment to fairness, innovation, and justice,” Zhao wrote on X Thursday. “Will do everything we can to help make America the Capital of Crypto.”

In another post on Friday, CZ reflected, “Overall, I think I have always been lucky. It (the process) was extremely painful, but it didn’t break me. My official record was tarnished for a bit, but my reputation held strong. No one, not a single person, stopped doing business with me. My family, friends and community supported me. I was never alone. Thank you for your support! Let’s keep building.”

A representative of Binance stated that the company “remains focused on building a secure, transparent, and user-first platform that reduces fees and increases access to the financial system for all.”

During a roundtable in the White House State Dining Room on Thursday, Trump commented on Zhao’s case, saying, “Let me just tell you that he was somebody that, as I was told, I don’t know him, I don’t believe I’ve ever met him, but I’ve been told by, a lot of support, he had a lot of support, and they said that what he did is not even a crime.”

He continued, “It wasn’t a crime, that he was persecuted by the Biden administration, and so, I gave him a pardon at the request of a lot of very good people.”

Last year, the Trump family also launched a crypto firm called World Liberty Financial, which is hosted on Binance.

The pardon has drawn criticism from Democrats, who claim that the decision may present a conflict of interest given the Trump family’s growing wealth derived from cryptocurrency.

Crypto investors, however, have welcomed the news of Zhao’s pardon. The Wall Street Journal reported that Binance’s BNB token has surged almost 80% this year, making it the fourth-largest cryptocurrency after bitcoin, ether, and tether, according to CoinMarketCap.

Following the news of Trump’s clemency decision, Bitcoin rose nearly 2% on Thursday.

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https://www.oann.com/newsroom/trump-pardons-binance-founder-changpeng-zhao-after-bidens-war-on-crypto/

GOP Senator Breaks With Trump Over Plan To Import Argentine Beef

Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, has expressed “deep concerns” over the Trump administration’s plan to import Argentine beef in an effort to bring prices down in the U.S. This proposal has sparked an angry backlash from American ranchers.

“Since hearing the president’s comments suggesting the U.S. would buy beef from Argentina, I’ve been in touch with his administration and my colleagues to seek clarity and express my deep concerns,” Fischer wrote Tuesday in a social media post.

“Bottom line: if the goal is addressing beef prices at the grocery store, this isn’t the way,” she argued. “Right now, government intervention in the beef market will hurt our cattle ranchers.”

Fischer emphasized that the U.S. has “safe, reliable beef” and warned that “Nebraska’s ranchers cannot afford to have the rug pulled out from under them when they’re just getting ahead or simply breaking even.”

The plan to import Argentine beef was floated by Trump on Monday, just days after his administration announced plans to arrange a $20 billion currency swap with Argentina. The swap aims to prop up the peso and help embattled Argentine President Javier Milei ahead of a critical midterm election scheduled for October 26.
https://crooksandliars.com/2025/10/republican-senator-breaks-trump-over-plan

Trump Pardons Binance Founder After Helping Boost His Family’s Crypto Empire

President Donald Trump on Thursday pardoned Changpeng “CZ” Zhao, the convicted founder of Binance, the world’s largest crypto exchange. The move comes after months of overlap between Zhao’s interests and the Trump family’s burgeoning crypto venture, World Liberty Financial, which has helped drive a massive jump in the president’s personal fortune, according to The Wall Street Journal.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the pardon, stating, “The Biden Administration’s war on crypto is over.” Zhao had pleaded guilty in 2023 to failing to maintain an effective anti-money-laundering program and served nearly four months in prison. Binance also paid a record $4.3 billion fine and accepted multi-year federal monitorship, as reported by the Justice Department and Treasury.

This pardon could clear Zhao’s path to reengage more openly in U.S. markets and may affect Justice Department oversight. However, the Treasury’s separate monitorship would require additional action to be lifted.

Since Trump’s election, Binance has emerged as a key supporter of the Trump family’s World Liberty Financial operation and its dollar-pegged token, USD1, according to The Wall Street Journal’s reporting on the family’s crypto windfall.

Following the pardon, Zhao thanked Trump and pledged to support U.S. crypto leadership in a statement posted publicly, the Journal reported.

[RELATED: Hawley Breaks With GOP As Senate Backs Bailout For Crypto Investors]

[RELATED: Cyber Criminals Steal Millions After Hacking Popular Crypto Exchange]
https://dailycaller.com/2025/10/23/donald-trump-pardon-cz-zhao-binance-founder/

Does the UN need to be run like a business? IKEA CEO Jesper Brodin may get the chance

Brodin may have a chance, as the Swedish government announced him as its candidate to become the new United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) last Monday. If selected, Brodin’s career pivot would highlight an exceptionally rare trajectory among global CEOs: moving from business to a multilateral international organization.

The UNHCR, the organization says, protects people forced to flee, delivers emergency aid in crises, and helps displaced people find a place to call home. While some businessmen, such as Donald Trump in the U.S. or Silvio Berlusconi in Italy, have entered national politics, virtually none have crossed over to head a major United Nations institution.

UN jobs are more typically reserved for career diplomats and politicians, while private sector leaders have been mostly absent in UN leadership roles. Alexander De Croo, the designated new head of the United Nations Development Programme, perhaps comes closest. He started his career at Boston Consulting Group and stayed there for several years before entering Belgian politics like his father before him, eventually becoming prime minister. His wife remains a partner at the consulting firm.

“I was surprised to receive the nomination. It was not something I had planned,” Brodin told Fortune in a Zoom interview after the news broke. “But with my global experience leading IKEA in more than 40 countries, I believe I can bring valuable experience and leadership to the UN.”

Brodin’s private sector experience was also a key reason why the Swedish government nominated him. “The U.N. system would be strengthened by a person with business experience, especially given the major challenges now facing the U.N.,” the Swedish foreign ministry said in a statement endorsing the IKEA veteran.

However rare, the choice is consistent with Brodin’s stated mission at IKEA, which was “to create a better everyday life for the many people.” Under Brodin’s leadership, IKEA has participated in several UN and UNHCR projects globally. These include an IKEA training and skills program for refugees, which to date has reached over 3,700 people, and IKEA’s retail arm providing direct job opportunities to refugees from Syria, and more recently, Ukraine.

Brodin is stepping down as IKEA CEO in November. The UN Secretary-General will select his choice for UNHCR, sending the nominee to member states for confirmation by the end of the year.

In the end, if Brodin is confirmed, it may well be because a rational business approach is exactly what the UN needs right now. The UN is in crisis and facing a cash crunch, exacerbated by the Trump administration’s funding cuts for the organization. In that light, Brodin’s track record of economizing on costs and resources at IKEA may be the real game changer if he is appointed.
https://fortune.com/2025/10/23/ikea-ceo-jesper-brodin-unhcr-un-business/