Trump Demands Jailing of Windy City Leader and State Executive as National Guard Arrive in Metropolis

Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, alleging them of failing to protect ICE agents.

"The city's leader should be jailed for endangering ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on his platform early Wednesday. "The Illinois governor too!"

The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.

Trump's statements coincide with the arrival of state military troops in the Windy City area under orders from the federal administration, notwithstanding vehement protests from Illinois authorities including the governor and mayor.

"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have a Black man unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I'm not going anywhere."

Pritzker also replied via online channels, stating: "I refuse to back down. Now Trump is demanding arrests of elected officials checking his power. What's next on the road toward full-blown authoritarianism?"

As of midweek, National Guard troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, a military installation roughly 80 kilometers from Chicago, as the administration pushes forward with its hardline urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.

The president has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", despite police data indicate notable reductions in most criminal activities, such as homicides.

On Wednesday, two hundred Texas National Guard members were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred Illinois guard personnel readying for deployment, per reports. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.

Military personnel in combat attire with state guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Vehicles marked "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were set up in rows. Extra barriers was installed around the compound.

The Federal Aviation Administration imposed flight restrictions over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.

Federal authorities has escalated immigration enforcement in the city in recent weeks, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.

Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit targeting the administration, attempting to halt the National Guard deployment, urging a court to stop what they describe as "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and dangerous".

Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is scheduled for Thursday.

The mayor also signed an directive on Monday banning federal immigration agents and related personnel from using city-owned property as operation bases for enforcement actions.

The governor has accused the president of using troops as "staged tools" and "pawns".

During a press briefing on Tuesday, Pritzker said that the president is attempting to "rationalize and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his direct command."

The historic federal law restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. However, the president has said he would be willing to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a commander-in-chief to dispatch active duty military in regions that are unable to put down an uprising or are resisting federal law.

Since starting his second term, the president has dispatched or discussed sending military units to at least 10 cities, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the military presence is essential to combat crime and protect ICE officers.

Data shows that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in recent years. In the city, for example, homicides were reduced nearly one-third to 278 through August, according to police data.

New survey data released on that day revealed that most Americans disapprove of the deployment of troops without an external threat.