Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump posted on his platform early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor too!"
The two leaders identify as the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the arrival of state military troops in the Chicago region under orders from the current government, despite strong objections from state officials including the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have a Black man unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying put."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, stating: "I will not yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives resisting his authority. What's next on the path to complete authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military troops from Texas had reached the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation approximately 50 miles from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
Trump has called Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate significant drops in many offenses, such as murders.
On Wednesday, two hundred Texas National Guard members were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, per sources. Authorities indicated the soldiers would avoid police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Military personnel wearing uniforms with Texas national guard patches were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off portable toilets and essential items. Mobile units were set up in lines. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until early December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in the city in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an processing facility in Broadview.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is set for Thursday.
The mayor also issued an directive on Monday banning federal immigration agents and related personnel from using city-owned property as staging areas for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has accused Trump of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is attempting to "justify and normalize the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. However, Trump has stated he would be willing to activate the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch regular army in regions that are unable to suppress an insurrection or are defying federal law.
After beginning his second term, Trump has sent or discussed sending military units to over ten urban centers, such as major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the military presence is essential to fight violence and protect ICE officers.
Statistics shows that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for instance, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, per police data.
A recent poll released on that day found that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the deployment of military forces without an external threat.
