* WGN…

A WGN Investigates interview with Cook County’s top judge has caught the attention of the top federal prosecutor in Chicago.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office has long been known for its reserved demeanor, but new boss Andrew Boutros has taken a different tact, adopting the tone of the Trump administration.

During a press conference on Thursday announcing 179 arrests in a crackdown on violence, he appeared to threaten reporters with lawsuits in one moment. In another, he offered praise, but also somewhat mischaracterized one of our recent interviews.

“There has been reckless reporting in this room and it’s deeply disappointing and we’ve taken notice,” Boutros said. […]

“Well I asked you to stay on topic, but there has been an incredible amount of reckless reporting in this room…some of it, I don’t want to say it, but it almost rises to the level of violating New York Times vs. Sullivan with the falsity of some of the things that have been presented in the press.”

That’s a reference to a Supreme Court case that said public officials can sue journalists if they intentionally or recklessly publish false information. It seemed to be a threat to prosecute reporters for their coverage of Operation Midway Blitz.

“I will say again: There has been a lot of reckless reporting – including reporting that I think rises to the level of violating NYT vs. Sullivan. I think people in this room know what I mean when I say that, and we’re going to address that at the appropriate time,” Boutros said.