Ex-President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of National Guard troops in the Windy City area under orders from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from state officials such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via online channels, declaring: "I refuse to back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of elected officials resisting his authority. What remains on the road toward complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, National Guard troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, a military installation approximately 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government advances with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", even though police data indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard members were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard personnel readying for deployment, according to reports. Authorities indicated the soldiers would not perform police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard patches were spotted at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Trucks labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were arranged in rows. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed no-fly zones over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in the city in the past month, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit targeting the federal government, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for the next day.
The mayor also signed an directive on that day banning ICE officers and others from using municipal facilities as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has charged the president of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, Pritzker said that the president is attempting to "rationalize and normalize the presence of armed soldiers under his personal authority."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law limits the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has stated he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which permits a commander-in-chief to send regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are defying national authority.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has dispatched or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 cities, including 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 protect ICE officers.
Data indicates that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, according to law enforcement reports.
A recent poll released on Wednesday found that most Americans oppose the deployment of troops without an foreign danger.
