Ex-President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on his platform Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements come alongside the deployment of state military troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities including Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I am staying put."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives resisting his authority. What's next on the path to complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had reached the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government advances with its hardline urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has called Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate notable reductions in most criminal activities, such as murders.
That day, 200 state guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, per sources. Officials reportedly stated the troops would not perform law enforcement duties but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with state guard insignia were observed at the military facility in the town. Trucks marked "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was installed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in Chicago in the past month, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the federal government, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, calling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also issued an directive on Monday banning federal immigration agents and others from using municipal facilities as staging areas for enforcement actions.
The governor has accused Trump of using military forces as "staged tools" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that Trump is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the presence of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, the president has stated he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which permits a commander-in-chief to send regular army in regions that are unable to put down an uprising or are defying national authority.
After beginning his second term, Trump has sent or discussed sending military units to over ten cities, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the military presence is essential to combat crime and protect ICE officers.
Statistics shows that most violent crime across the US has decreased in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, per police data.
New survey data published on Wednesday found that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of military forces without an foreign danger.
