Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor too!"
The two leaders identify as the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region following directives from the current government, despite vehement protests from state officials including the governor and mayor.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I am staying anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not back down. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its aggressive crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", even though official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, such as murders.
That day, 200 Texas National Guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred state military personnel preparing to mobilize, per sources. Officials indicated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard patches were observed at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were set up in lines. Extra barriers was placed 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 the city in the past month, triggering protests, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on the city and state, calling it "unlawful and risky".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is scheduled for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and others from using municipal facilities as staging areas for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged Trump of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that the president is trying to "justify and make acceptable the presence of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has stated he would be prepared to invoke 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 national authority.
Since starting his second term, the president has dispatched or discussed sending military units to over ten cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the armed forces is necessary to combat crime and protect immigration agents.
Data indicates that serious offenses across the US has declined in the past few years. In Chicago, for example, murders were down nearly one-third to under three hundred through August, per police data.
A recent poll published on that day found that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of military forces without an external threat.
