Former President Donald Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect ICE agents.
"Chicago's Mayor belongs behind bars for failing to secure Immigration agents!" Trump wrote on his platform Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the arrival of National Guard troops in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents not the first instance where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, stating: "I will not back down. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives resisting his authority. What's next on the road toward full-blown authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, military units from Texas had reached the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation approximately 80 kilometers from the city, as the administration advances with its hardline urban crime policy and mass deportation efforts.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", despite police data indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
That day, two hundred Texas National Guard members were scheduled to arrive to the region, with another 300 state military forces preparing to mobilize, per sources. Officials indicated the soldiers would avoid police functions but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were observed at the military facility in Elwood. Trucks marked "Disaster Relief" delivered sanitation facilities and essential items. Trailers were set up in rows. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration imposed no-fly zones over the army reserve center for safety concerns until early December.
Federal authorities has escalated deportation operations in the city in the past month, triggering protests, particularly near an processing facility in Broadview.
On Monday, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit against the administration, attempting to halt the military dispatch, asking a federal judge to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and risky".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for the next day.
The mayor also signed an executive order on that day banning ICE officers and others from using municipal facilities as staging areas for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has charged Trump of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that the president is attempting to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. Yet, the president has stated he would be willing to activate the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch active duty military in states that are unable to suppress an insurrection or are defying federal law.
After beginning his second term, Trump has dispatched or discussed sending troops to at least 10 cities, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and defend immigration agents.
Statistics shows that serious offenses across the US has decreased in the past few years. In the city, for instance, murders were down 31% to 278 through late summer, according to police data.
New survey data released on Wednesday found that the majority of US citizens oppose the deployment of troops without an foreign danger.
