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 federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump wrote on his platform early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements coincide with the deployment of National Guard troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, notwithstanding strong objections from state officials including Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not back down. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the road toward full-blown authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base roughly 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has labeled Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate significant drops in many offenses, including homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the region, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard forces preparing to mobilize, per sources. Authorities reportedly stated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with state guard patches were observed at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Mobile units were arranged in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has intensified immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an processing facility in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, state and city initiated legal action targeting the administration, attempting to halt the military dispatch, urging a federal judge to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "illegal and risky".
Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is scheduled for Thursday.
The mayor also issued an directive on that day banning ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has accused Trump of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that the president is trying to "rationalize and normalize the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has stated he would be willing to activate the emergency powers, which allows a president to dispatch active duty military in regions that are failing to put down an insurrection or are resisting federal law.
After beginning his second term, Trump has sent or mentioned deploying military units to at least 10 cities, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the military presence is essential to combat crime and protect immigration agents.
Data shows that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through late summer, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data released on Wednesday found that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of troops without an external threat.
