Former President Donald J. Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
These remarks come alongside the arrival of state military troops in the Windy City area under orders from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I am staying put."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What remains on the road toward complete authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military units from the Lone Star State had reached the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its aggressive crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
Trump has called Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", even though official statistics indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as murders.
That day, 200 Texas National Guard members were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred state military personnel readying for deployment, per reports. Authorities indicated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Military personnel wearing uniforms with Texas national guard patches were observed at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" dropped off sanitation facilities and other supplies. Mobile units were set up in rows. Additional fencing was placed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities ordered flight restrictions over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering protests, especially near an processing facility in Broadview.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, asking a federal judge to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their case is set for the next day.
The mayor also issued an directive on that day banning ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has accused the president of using troops as "staged tools" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is trying to "rationalize and normalize the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic federal law limits the military's role in civilian law enforcement. Yet, Trump has stated he would be willing to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch active duty military in regions that are unable to put down an uprising or are resisting federal law.
Since starting his second term, the president has sent or mentioned sending troops to over ten cities, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is essential to fight violence and protect ICE officers.
Statistics shows that serious offenses across the US has declined in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were down nearly one-third to under three hundred through August, per police data.
A recent poll published on that day found that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the sending of troops without an foreign danger.
