Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor as well!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the deployment of National Guard troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from Illinois authorities including the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying anywhere."
The governor responded via online channels, declaring: "I will not yield. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of elected officials resisting his authority. What remains on the path to complete authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base approximately 50 miles from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its aggressive crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has labeled Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", even though police data indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard members were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred state military personnel preparing to mobilize, per reports. Authorities indicated the troops would not perform police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard insignia were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks marked "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were set up in rows. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has intensified immigration enforcement in the city in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, urging a court to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings 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.
The governor has accused the president of using military forces as "staged tools" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is trying to "justify and normalize the presence of armed soldiers under his personal authority."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the military's role in civilian law enforcement. However, the president has said he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which permits a president to send regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are defying national authority.
After beginning his second term, the president has sent or mentioned deploying military units to over ten cities, including major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the military presence is necessary to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for instance, murders were reduced 31% to 278 through late summer, according to law enforcement reports.
A recent poll released on that day revealed that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the deployment of military forces without an external threat.
