Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
These remarks coincide with the deployment of National Guard troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from Illinois authorities including the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have a Black man unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via online channels, stating: "I refuse to yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to complete authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, National Guard troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base approximately 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government advances with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
That day, two hundred Texas National Guard troops were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred state military forces readying for deployment, per reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would not perform police functions but would secure ICE officers and government buildings.
Military personnel in combat attire with Texas national guard patches were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was installed around the compound.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until early December.
Federal authorities has intensified immigration enforcement in the city in the past month, sparking protests, especially near an processing facility in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the military dispatch, urging a court to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is set for Thursday.
The mayor also signed an executive order on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and related personnel from using municipal facilities as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has charged the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
At a news conference on Tuesday, Pritzker said that Trump is attempting to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of armed soldiers under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has stated he would be prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to dispatch regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are resisting national authority.
After beginning his second term, Trump has dispatched or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 cities, such as major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the military presence is essential to fight violence and protect immigration agents.
Data shows that serious offenses across the US has decreased in the past few years. In the city, for example, murders were reduced 31% to under three hundred through August, per law enforcement reports.
A recent poll released on that day revealed that most Americans disapprove of the sending of troops without an external threat.
