Former President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the detainment of 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 social media early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic party.
Trump's statements coincide with the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region following directives from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from state officials such as the governor and mayor.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump attempted to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying put."
The governor responded via social platforms, declaring: "I will not back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives resisting his authority. What remains on the road toward complete authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, military troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base roughly 80 kilometers from Chicago, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, two hundred state guard troops were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to reports. Officials indicated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with state guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered sanitation facilities and essential items. Trailers were arranged in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed flight restrictions over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in the city in the past month, sparking protests, particularly near an immigration center in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit against the administration, seeking to block the military dispatch, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is scheduled for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also issued an directive on Monday banning ICE officers and others from using city-owned property as staging areas 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, Pritzker said that the president is trying to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, the president has stated he would be willing to activate the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to send regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are resisting national authority.
After beginning his second term, Trump has sent or mentioned deploying troops to at least 10 cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that serious offenses across the US has decreased in recent years. In the city, for example, homicides were reduced nearly one-third to 278 through August, per police data.
New survey data published on that day found that most Americans disapprove of the sending of military forces without an external threat.
