Former President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from state officials such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents not the first instance where Trump has sought to have a Black man unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I am staying anywhere."
The governor responded via online channels, declaring: "I will not back down. Trump is now demanding arrests of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What remains on the road toward complete autocracy?"
As of midweek, military troops from Texas 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 mass deportation efforts.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, such as murders.
That day, 200 state guard troops were expected to deploy to the region, with another 300 state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to sources. Authorities reportedly stated the troops would not perform police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Military personnel wearing uniforms with state guard insignia were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" delivered sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were set up in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed no-fly zones over the army reserve center for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in the city in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on the city and state, labeling it "unlawful and risky".
A court hearing on their case is set for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also signed an directive on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as staging areas for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has charged the president of using military forces as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
At a news conference on the previous day, he said that Trump is attempting to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act restricts the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. However, the president has said he would be prepared to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch active duty military in regions that are failing to put down an insurrection or are defying national authority.
Since starting his new administration, the president has dispatched or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 cities, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the armed forces is necessary to combat crime and protect ICE officers.
Statistics shows that serious offenses nationwide has declined in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through late summer, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data released on Wednesday found that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the deployment of military forces without an foreign danger.
