Ex-President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor as well!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the deployment of state military troops in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, despite strong objections from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump has sought to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I'm not going put."
The governor responded via online channels, declaring: "I refuse to yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of elected officials resisting his authority. What remains on the path to full-blown autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had reached the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation roughly 50 miles from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", despite official statistics indicate significant drops in many offenses, including homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard members were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, according to sources. Authorities reportedly stated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard patches were spotted at the military facility in the town. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were set up in rows. Additional fencing was placed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has escalated deportation operations in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering protests, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action against the federal government, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, asking a court to stop what they describe as "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is scheduled for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also signed an directive on Monday banning ICE officers and related personnel from using municipal facilities as operation bases for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has charged the president of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that Trump is trying to "justify and normalize the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. However, the president has stated he would be prepared to activate the emergency powers, which allows a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in states that are unable to suppress an uprising or are defying national authority.
Since starting his new administration, the president has dispatched or mentioned deploying troops to at least 10 urban centers, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is essential to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Statistics shows that most violent crime across the US has decreased in the past few years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were down 31% to under three hundred through late summer, according to police data.
New survey data published on Wednesday revealed that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of troops without an foreign danger.
