Ex-President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader should be jailed for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump wrote on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic party.
These remarks come alongside the deployment of National Guard personnel in the Windy City area under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from Illinois authorities such as the governor and mayor.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I'm not going put."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I refuse to back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of elected officials resisting his authority. What's next on the path to complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military troops from the Lone Star State had reached the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government advances with its aggressive crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has called Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
That day, two hundred state guard troops were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard personnel preparing to mobilize, per reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would not perform law enforcement duties but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with state guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were arranged in rows. Additional fencing was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in the city in recent weeks, sparking protests, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the federal government, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, urging a court to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is set for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as staging areas for enforcement actions.
The governor has accused the president of using military forces as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
At a news conference on the previous day, he said that Trump is trying to "justify and make acceptable the presence of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has stated he would be prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act, which permits a president to dispatch active duty military in states that are failing to suppress an uprising or are resisting national authority.
Since starting his second term, Trump has sent or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the military presence is necessary to combat crime and protect ICE officers.
Data shows that serious offenses across the US has decreased in the past few years. In Chicago, for instance, homicides were down 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 troops without an foreign danger.
