Former President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
These remarks come alongside the deployment of National Guard troops in the Windy City area under orders from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from Illinois authorities such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."
The governor responded via social platforms, stating: "I refuse to back down. Now Trump is demanding arrests of elected officials resisting his authority. What's next on the road toward complete authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, National Guard troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base roughly 80 kilometers from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline urban crime policy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", even though police data indicate significant drops in many offenses, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard members were scheduled to arrive to the region, with another 300 Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, per reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would not perform law enforcement duties but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Military personnel in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were observed at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were set up in lines. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed flight restrictions over the army reserve center for safety concerns until early December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
Earlier this week, state and city filed a lawsuit against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "unlawful and risky".
Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is set for Thursday.
The mayor also issued an directive on that day prohibiting ICE officers and others from using municipal facilities as staging areas for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged the president of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
At a news conference on Tuesday, he said that the president is trying to "justify and normalize the presence of military personnel under his personal authority."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. However, the president has stated he would be willing to invoke the emergency powers, which allows a commander-in-chief to send regular army in regions that are unable to suppress an uprising or are defying federal law.
Since starting his new administration, Trump has sent or discussed sending troops to over ten urban centers, such as major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the armed forces is necessary to fight violence and protect ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime across the US has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for instance, murders were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data released on that day revealed that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of military forces without an external threat.
