Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump posted on his platform early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the deployment of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I am staying put."
The governor responded via social platforms, declaring: "I will not back down. Trump is now demanding arrests of elected officials checking his power. What remains on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military units from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base approximately 80 kilometers from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", despite official statistics indicate significant drops in many offenses, including homicides.
That day, two hundred Texas National Guard members were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard personnel readying for deployment, according to reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard insignia were spotted at the military facility in Elwood. Vehicles marked "Disaster Relief" dropped off portable toilets and other supplies. Mobile units were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed flight restrictions over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has escalated immigration enforcement in the city in the past month, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "unlawful and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is set for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Monday banning ICE officers and others from using municipal facilities as operation bases for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has charged the president of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
At a news conference on the previous day, he said that the president is attempting to "justify and normalize the presence of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic federal law 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 send regular army in states that are unable to suppress an uprising or are resisting federal law.
After beginning his new administration, the president has sent or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 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 protect immigration agents.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime across the US has decreased in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were reduced 31% to 278 through late summer, per police data.
New survey data published on that day found that most Americans oppose the sending of military forces without an external threat.
