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 ICE agents.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic party.
These remarks come alongside the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going put."
The governor responded via online channels, declaring: "I will not back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives resisting his authority. What remains on the path to full-blown autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, National Guard troops from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation approximately 50 miles from the city, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has labeled Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in most criminal activities, including homicides.
On Wednesday, two hundred Texas National Guard troops were expected to deploy to the region, with another 300 state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to sources. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with Texas national guard patches were spotted at the military facility in the town. Trucks labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered sanitation facilities and other supplies. Trailers were set up in rows. Additional fencing was placed around the compound.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until 6 December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in the city in the past month, triggering protests, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a court to stop what they describe as "Trump's long-declared 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is set for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also issued an executive order on that day banning federal immigration agents and related personnel from using municipal facilities as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has accused the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
At a news conference on the previous day, he said that the president is attempting to "rationalize and normalize the presence of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic federal law limits the military's role in civilian law enforcement. Yet, Trump has said he would be prepared to invoke the emergency powers, which allows a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in regions that are unable to suppress an uprising or are defying federal law.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has sent or mentioned sending troops to over ten cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, arguing that the military presence is essential to combat crime and protect immigration agents.
Data indicates that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in the past few years. In the city, for example, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, per police data.
New survey data released on that day found that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of troops without an foreign danger.
