Former President Donald J. Trump on midweek demanded the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on social media early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor as well!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic party.
Trump's statements coincide with the deployment of state military troops in the Windy City area following directives from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from state officials such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I am staying put."
Pritzker also replied via online channels, declaring: "I will not yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of elected officials checking his power. What's next on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, a military installation roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government advances with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate notable reductions in most criminal activities, including homicides.
On Wednesday, two hundred state guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 state military personnel preparing to mobilize, according to sources. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would not perform police functions but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard patches were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles marked "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off sanitation facilities and essential items. Trailers were arranged in lines. Additional fencing was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities ordered no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until early December.
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering protests, especially near an immigration center in Broadview.
Earlier this week, state and city initiated legal action against the administration, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "illegal and risky".
A court hearing on their case is set for Thursday.
The mayor also issued an executive order on that day prohibiting ICE officers and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is trying to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. Yet, Trump has said he would be willing to activate the emergency powers, which permits a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in states that are unable to put down an uprising or are resisting federal law.
After beginning his new administration, Trump has sent or discussed deploying troops to over ten cities, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and defend ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime across the US has decreased in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were down 31% to 278 through August, per police data.
A recent poll released on Wednesday revealed that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of troops without an external threat.
