Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding strong objections from state officials including the governor and mayor.
"This marks yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going put."
The governor responded via online channels, stating: "I will not back down. Trump is now demanding arrests of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, National Guard units from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base approximately 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has called Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", despite police data indicate significant drops in many offenses, such as murders.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard members were expected to deploy to the region, with another 300 Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, according to reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would not perform police functions but would protect ICE officers and their facilities.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with Texas national guard insignia were spotted at the military facility in the town. Trucks labeled "Disaster Relief" delivered sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were set up in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration 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 Broadview.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action targeting the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for Thursday.
Mayor Johnson also issued an executive order on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has charged Trump of using military forces as "staged tools" and "pawns".
At a news conference on Tuesday, Pritzker said that Trump is trying to "rationalize and normalize the presence of armed soldiers under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, the president has said he would be willing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to send active duty military in states that are failing to put down an uprising or are defying federal law.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has dispatched or mentioned deploying military units to at least 10 urban centers, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is necessary to combat crime and defend immigration agents.
Data indicates that serious offenses across the US has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were reduced 31% to 278 through August, according to police data.
New survey data released on that day found that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of troops without an external threat.
