Ex-President Donald J. Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader should be jailed for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor too!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the deployment of state military troops in the Chicago region following directives from the current government, despite strong objections from Illinois authorities such as the governor and mayor.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying anywhere."
The governor responded via social platforms, stating: "I refuse to back down. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of elected officials checking his power. What remains on the road toward full-blown autocracy?"
As of midweek, military troops from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood training facility, a military installation roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the administration advances with its aggressive urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in most criminal activities, including murders.
That day, two hundred Texas National Guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with another 300 Illinois guard forces preparing to mobilize, per sources. Officials indicated the soldiers would not perform police functions but would secure ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks marked "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in Chicago in recent weeks, sparking protests, particularly near an immigration center in Broadview.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they describe as "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their case is set for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also signed an directive on Monday banning federal immigration agents and related personnel from using municipal facilities as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has accused the president of using troops as "political props" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that the president is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of armed soldiers under his direct command."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law restricts the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, the president has stated he would be willing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which permits a president to dispatch regular army in regions that are unable to put down an insurrection or are resisting federal law.
Since starting his new administration, Trump has sent or mentioned sending troops to at least 10 cities, such as major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is essential to combat crime and protect immigration agents.
Data shows that serious offenses across the US has declined in recent years. In the city, for instance, murders were down nearly one-third to 278 through late summer, according to law enforcement reports.
A recent poll published on that day found that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of military forces without an foreign danger.
