Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for failing to secure Immigration agents!" Trump posted on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the deployment of state military troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from state officials such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents not the first instance where Trump attempted to have a Black man unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I am staying put."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I refuse to yield. Trump is now demanding arrests of elected officials checking his power. What remains on the road toward complete autocracy?"
As of midweek, military troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation roughly 50 miles from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its aggressive urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has called Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", despite police data indicate notable reductions in many offenses, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the region, with an additional three hundred state military personnel preparing to mobilize, per sources. Authorities reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard insignia were spotted at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off sanitation facilities and essential items. Trailers were set up in rows. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities ordered no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until early December.
The administration has escalated immigration enforcement in the city in the past month, sparking protests, especially near an processing facility in Broadview.
Earlier this week, state and city initiated legal action against the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their case is set for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also issued an directive on that day prohibiting ICE officers and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has charged the president of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that Trump is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has said he would be willing to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a commander-in-chief to send regular army in regions that are unable to put down an insurrection or are resisting national authority.
After beginning his new administration, the president has sent or discussed deploying troops to at least 10 urban centers, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the military presence is essential to combat crime and defend ICE officers.
Data shows that serious offenses across the US has declined in the past few years. In Chicago, for instance, murders were reduced 31% to under three hundred through August, according to police data.
A recent poll released on Wednesday revealed that most Americans oppose the sending of military forces without an foreign danger.
