Former President Donald J. Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on his platform Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements come alongside the deployment of state military troops in the Windy City area following directives from the current government, notwithstanding vehement protests from state officials including Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, stating: "I refuse to yield. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of elected officials checking his power. What remains on the road toward complete authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 80 kilometers from Chicago, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline crime strategy and immigration enforcement operations.
The president has called Chicago a "dangerous hellhole", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
On Wednesday, two hundred state guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 state military personnel readying for deployment, according to reports. Officials reportedly stated the troops would avoid police functions but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Military personnel wearing uniforms with state guard patches were spotted at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Trucks labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were set up in lines. Extra barriers was installed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities ordered no-fly zones over the army reserve center for security reasons until 6 December.
The administration has escalated immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, especially near an processing facility in Broadview.
Earlier this week, state and city initiated legal action targeting the federal government, attempting to halt the military dispatch, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on the city and state, calling it "unlawful and dangerous".
A court hearing on their case is set for Thursday.
The mayor also signed an directive on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and related personnel from using city-owned property as staging areas for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged the president of using troops as "staged tools" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that Trump is trying to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic federal law restricts the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, the president has said he would be willing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a commander-in-chief to send regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are defying national authority.
Since starting his new administration, the president has dispatched or mentioned deploying military units to at least 10 cities, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and protect ICE officers.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime across the US has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for example, homicides were down nearly one-third to 278 through August, per police data.
A recent poll published on Wednesday found that the majority of US citizens disapprove of the deployment of military forces without an external threat.
