Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday 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 endangering Immigration agents!" Trump wrote on his platform Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of state military personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from Illinois authorities including Pritzker and Johnson.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying put."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I will not back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to complete autocracy?"
As of midweek, National Guard units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", despite police data indicate significant drops in many offenses, such as murders.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the region, with another 300 state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to reports. Authorities indicated the soldiers would not perform police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Military personnel in combat attire with Texas national guard patches were spotted at the military facility in Elwood. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off portable toilets and essential items. Mobile units were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in Chicago in the past month, triggering demonstrations, particularly near an processing facility in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action targeting the federal government, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, calling it "unlawful and risky".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also issued an executive order on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has accused Trump of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of armed soldiers under his direct command."
The historic federal law restricts the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, the president has stated he would be prepared to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a commander-in-chief to dispatch active duty military in states that are unable to put down an insurrection or are resisting federal law.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has dispatched or mentioned sending troops to over ten cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, arguing that the military presence is essential to combat crime and defend ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime across the US has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for instance, homicides were reduced 31% to under three hundred through August, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data published on that day revealed that most Americans oppose the sending of military forces without an external threat.
