Trump Calls for Imprisonment of Chicago Leader and Illinois Governor as National Guard Deploy in City
Ex-President Donald J. Trump on midweek demanded the detainment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
"The city's leader belongs behind bars for failing to secure ICE Officers!" Trump wrote on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker as well!"
Both officials are members of the Democratic party.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of state military personnel in the Chicago region following directives from the current government, notwithstanding strong objections from state officials including the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump has sought to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Mayor Johnson stated on that day. "I am staying anywhere."
Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not yield. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from the Lone Star State 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 urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has called Chicago a "crime-ridden hellhole", even though official statistics indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, including homicides.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the region, with another 300 Illinois guard forces readying for deployment, per sources. Officials reportedly stated the troops would avoid law enforcement duties but would secure federal immigration agents and their facilities.
Military personnel wearing uniforms with Texas national guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles labeled "Emergency Disaster Services" dropped off sanitation facilities and other supplies. Trailers were arranged in rows. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.
Aviation authorities ordered flight restrictions over the military base for security reasons until early December.
The administration has intensified immigration enforcement in Chicago in recent weeks, triggering demonstrations, particularly near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.
On Monday, state and city initiated legal action targeting the administration, seeking to block the military dispatch, asking a court to stop what they call "Trump's long-declared 'Battle'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "illegal and dangerous".
A court hearing on their lawsuit is scheduled for the next day.
The mayor also issued an directive on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and others from using city-owned property as operation bases for deportation efforts.
The governor has charged the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on the previous day, he said that Trump is attempting to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic federal law restricts the military's role in civilian law enforcement. Yet, Trump has stated he would be willing to activate the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to dispatch regular army in regions that are failing to suppress an uprising or are defying federal law.
Since starting his new administration, the president has sent or discussed deploying military units to at least 10 cities, including Baltimore; Washington DC; New Orleans and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is necessary to fight violence and defend immigration agents.
Statistics indicates that most violent crime nationwide has declined in recent years. In the city, for instance, homicides were reduced 31% to 278 through August, according to law enforcement reports.
New survey data published on Wednesday revealed that the majority of US citizens oppose the sending of military forces without an foreign danger.