Former President Donald J. Trump on midweek demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements coincide with the deployment of state military personnel in the Windy City area under orders from the current government, notwithstanding strong objections from state officials such as Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, stating: "I will not back down. Trump is now demanding arrests of elected officials resisting his authority. What's next on the road toward full-blown authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, National Guard troops from the Lone Star State had reached the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation roughly 80 kilometers from the city, as the federal government advances with its hardline crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
Trump has called Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 state military forces readying for deployment, per sources. Officials indicated the soldiers would avoid police functions but would secure ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers wearing uniforms with state guard insignia were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off sanitation facilities and essential items. Mobile units were set up in lines. Additional fencing was placed around the compound.
Aviation authorities imposed no-fly zones over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in the city in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
Earlier this week, state and city initiated legal action against the administration, attempting to halt the military dispatch, urging a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "unlawful and risky".
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 others from using city-owned property as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has accused Trump of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
At a news conference on the previous day, Pritzker said that Trump is attempting to "rationalize and make acceptable the presence of military personnel under his personal authority."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law limits the military's role in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, the president has said he would be prepared to activate the emergency powers, which permits a president to send active duty military in regions that are failing to put down an insurrection or are defying national authority.
Since starting his second term, the president has dispatched or discussed deploying troops to over ten cities, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, arguing that the armed forces is essential to combat crime and defend immigration agents.
Statistics shows that serious offenses nationwide has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for example, murders were down nearly one-third to 278 through late summer, according to police data.
A recent poll released on Wednesday revealed that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the sending of troops without an foreign danger.
