Ex-President Donald J. Trump on midweek demanded the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for endangering Immigration agents!" Trump posted on social media early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor as well!"
The two leaders identify as the Democratic party.
These remarks coincide with the arrival of state military troops in the Windy City area following directives from the current government, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities such as the governor and mayor.
"This marks not the first instance where Trump has sought to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I refuse to yield. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of elected officials checking his power. What's next on the path to full-blown autocracy?"
As of midweek, National Guard units from the Lone Star State had reached the Elwood army reserve center, an army base approximately 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government pushes forward with its hardline urban crime policy and mass deportation efforts.
The president has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", even though police data indicate notable reductions in many offenses, such as homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 Texas National Guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with another 300 state military forces readying for deployment, according to reports. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure ICE officers and their facilities.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard patches were spotted at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Trucks marked "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off sanitation facilities and other supplies. Trailers were arranged in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.
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 Chicago in recent weeks, triggering protests, particularly near an processing facility in a Chicago suburb.
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 Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their case is scheduled for Thursday.
The mayor also issued an executive order on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
Pritzker has accused Trump of using troops as "staged tools" and "pawns".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that Trump is attempting to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of armed soldiers under his direct command."
The historic federal law limits the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has stated he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which allows a commander-in-chief to send active duty military in regions that are failing to suppress an uprising or are resisting national authority.
After beginning his new administration, the president has dispatched or mentioned sending troops to at least 10 cities, such as major metropolitan areas and West Coast locations like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, claiming that the armed forces is necessary to combat crime and defend ICE officers.
Statistics shows that most violent crime nationwide 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 that day found that most Americans oppose the sending of military forces without an foreign danger.
