Former President Donald J. Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic faction.
These remarks coincide with the arrival of National Guard troops in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, despite strong objections from Illinois authorities including the governor and mayor.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump has sought to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I'm not going anywhere."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I will not back down. Now Trump is demanding arrests of elected officials resisting his authority. What remains on the road toward full-blown autocracy?"
As of midweek, National Guard units from the Lone Star State had reached the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the administration advances with its hardline urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", even though police data indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as homicides.
That day, 200 Texas National Guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred state military personnel preparing to mobilize, according to reports. Officials indicated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.
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 set up in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has escalated immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action against the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they describe as "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Monday banning federal immigration agents and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for enforcement actions.
The governor has accused the president of using military forces as "staged tools" and "pawns".
At a news conference on the previous day, Pritzker said that the president is trying to "justify and make acceptable the presence of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has said he would be willing to activate the emergency powers, which permits a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in regions that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are resisting federal law.
Since starting his new administration, Trump has dispatched or mentioned sending military units to over ten cities, including major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is essential to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Data indicates that most violent crime across the US has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were reduced nearly one-third to under three hundred through late summer, according to police data.
New survey data published on that day found that most Americans oppose the sending of troops without an external threat.
