Ex-President Donald J. Trump on midweek called for the incarceration of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on social media Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor as well!"
The two leaders identify as the Democratic party.
These remarks come alongside the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Windy City area following directives from the current government, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I'm not going put."
The governor responded via social platforms, declaring: "I refuse to back down. Trump is now demanding arrests of elected officials checking his power. What remains on the road toward full-blown autocracy?"
As of midweek, military units from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood training facility, a military installation approximately 50 miles from Chicago, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has called Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", despite police data indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, including homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard members were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, according to sources. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would not perform law enforcement duties but would protect federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were observed at the military facility in the town. Trucks labeled "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was placed around the compound.
Aviation authorities imposed no-fly zones over the army reserve center for safety concerns until early December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in Chicago in the past month, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a court to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on the city and state, calling it "unlawful and dangerous".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is scheduled for the next day.
The mayor also signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting federal immigration agents and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that the president is trying to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has said he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which permits a commander-in-chief to dispatch regular army in regions that are unable to put down an insurrection or are defying national authority.
After beginning his new administration, the president has dispatched or discussed deploying 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 military presence is essential to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Statistics shows that most violent crime nationwide has declined in recent years. In the city, for example, murders were reduced 31% to 278 through August, according to police data.
New survey data published on Wednesday found that most Americans oppose the deployment of troops without an foreign danger.
