Trump Demands Jailing of Chicago Leader and State Executive as Military Forces Deploy in City
Ex-President Donald Trump on Wednesday demanded the incarceration 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 ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on his platform early Wednesday. "Governor Pritzker too!"
The two leaders are members of the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements coincide with the arrival of National Guard troops in the Windy City area following directives from the current government, despite strong objections from state officials including Pritzker and Johnson.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have a Black man wrongfully arrested," Johnson responded on that day. "I am staying anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not yield. Trump is now demanding arrests of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What remains on the path to complete authoritarianism?"
As of midweek, National Guard troops from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base roughly 50 miles from Chicago, as the federal government pushes forward with its aggressive crime strategy 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, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the Chicago area, with an additional three hundred state military forces readying for deployment, according to reports. Authorities reportedly stated the soldiers would avoid police functions but would protect ICE officers and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were observed at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Trucks marked "Emergency Disaster Services" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Trailers were arranged in lines. Extra barriers was placed around the compound.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until 6 December.
The administration has intensified deportation operations in the city in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
Earlier this week, Illinois and Chicago filed a lawsuit targeting the federal government, attempting to halt the military dispatch, urging a court to stop what they call "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and risky".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is scheduled for Thursday.
The mayor also signed an executive order on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and related personnel from using city-owned property as staging areas for enforcement actions.
Pritzker has charged Trump of using military forces as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, Pritzker said that the president is trying to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the army's involvement in civilian law enforcement. However, Trump has said he would be willing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to dispatch active duty military in regions that are unable to suppress an uprising or are resisting national authority.
Since starting his second term, the president has sent or mentioned deploying troops to over ten urban centers, such as Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and West Coast locations like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, arguing that the armed forces is essential to fight violence and protect immigration agents.
Data shows that serious offenses nationwide has decreased in recent years. In the city, for instance, murders were down 31% to 278 through August, according to police data.
A recent poll published on Wednesday revealed that most Americans oppose the deployment of military forces without an foreign danger.