Former President Donald Trump on midweek demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect ICE agents.
"The city's leader should be jailed for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump posted on his platform Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements coincide with the arrival of state military troops in the Windy City area under orders from the current government, despite strong objections from state officials including the governor and mayor.
"This represents not the first instance where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on Wednesday. "I am staying anywhere."
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 complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base approximately 50 miles from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has labeled Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, including homicides.
On Wednesday, two hundred state guard members were expected to deploy to the region, with an additional three hundred state military forces preparing to mobilize, according to sources. Authorities reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Trucks marked "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were set up in lines. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
Aviation authorities imposed flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until early December.
Federal authorities has intensified deportation operations in the city in the past month, sparking protests, especially near an processing facility in Broadview.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago initiated legal action against the federal government, seeking to block the National Guard deployment, urging a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, labeling it "unlawful and risky".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for the next day.
Mayor Johnson also issued an directive on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has charged the president of using military forces as "political props" and "pawns".
At a news conference on Tuesday, Pritzker said that the president is attempting to "rationalize and normalize the presence of armed soldiers under his direct command."
The nearly 150-year-old federal law limits the military's role in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has stated he would be prepared to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch active duty military in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are defying federal law.
After beginning his second term, Trump has sent or discussed sending military units to at least 10 cities, such as major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the military presence is essential to fight violence and defend immigration agents.
Data shows that serious offenses nationwide has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were down 31% to 278 through late summer, according to police data.
New survey data published on that day found that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the sending of troops without an foreign danger.
