Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump posted on his platform early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements coincide with the deployment of National Guard personnel in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from Illinois authorities including the governor and mayor.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I am staying put."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I refuse to back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What remains on the road toward full-blown authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, a military installation roughly 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its aggressive crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, such as murders.
That day, 200 Texas National Guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to reports. Authorities reportedly stated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure ICE officers and government buildings.
Military personnel in combat attire with state guard patches were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were set up in lines. Additional fencing was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement in the city in the past month, sparking protests, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "unlawful and dangerous".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is set for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also issued an executive order on Monday banning ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has accused the president of using military forces as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that Trump is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the presence of armed soldiers under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. However, the president has said he would be willing to activate the Insurrection Act, which permits a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in regions that are failing to suppress an uprising or are resisting federal law.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has sent or discussed deploying troops to over ten cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, arguing that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and defend immigration agents.
Statistics indicates that serious offenses nationwide has decreased in recent years. In the city, for instance, murders were reduced 31% to under three hundred through August, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data released on that day found that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of military forces without an foreign danger.
