Ex-President Donald Trump on midweek called for the detainment of Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois 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 social media Wednesday morning. "The Illinois governor too!"
Both officials identify as the Democratic faction.
Trump's statements come alongside the arrival of state military troops in the Chicago region under orders from the federal administration, despite vehement protests from state officials such as the governor and mayor.
"This represents yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have a Black man unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I'm not going put."
Pritzker also replied via online channels, stating: "I refuse to yield. Trump is now calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What remains on the path to complete autocracy?"
By Wednesday morning, military units from Texas had arrived at the Elwood army reserve center, an army base approximately 50 miles from the city, as the administration advances with its aggressive urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.
Trump has labeled Chicago a "crime-ridden disaster zone", despite official statistics indicate notable reductions in many offenses, including murders.
On Wednesday, 200 state guard troops were expected to deploy to the Chicago area, with another 300 state military personnel preparing to mobilize, per reports. Officials reportedly stated the soldiers would not perform police functions but would secure federal immigration agents and government buildings.
Soldiers in combat attire with state guard insignia were spotted at the US army reserve center in Elwood. Trucks labeled "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and other supplies. Trailers were set up in lines. Extra barriers was installed around the perimeter.
The Federal Aviation Administration ordered no-fly zones over the military base for safety concerns until 6 December.
Federal authorities has escalated immigration enforcement in Chicago in the past month, sparking demonstrations, particularly near an processing facility in Broadview.
On Monday, state and city filed a lawsuit against the federal government, seeking to block the military dispatch, asking a federal judge to stop what they describe as "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, labeling it "unlawful and dangerous".
Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is set for Thursday.
The mayor also signed an directive on that day prohibiting federal immigration agents and related personnel from using municipal facilities as operation bases for enforcement actions.
The governor has charged the president of using troops as "political props" and "chess pieces".
During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that Trump is trying to "justify and make acceptable the deployment of military personnel under his personal authority."
The historic Posse Comitatus Act restricts the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has said he would be willing to invoke the emergency powers, which permits a president to dispatch regular army in states that are failing to suppress an insurrection or are resisting federal law.
Since starting his new administration, the president has dispatched or discussed deploying military units to over ten urban centers, such as major metropolitan areas and California cities like Oakland, San Francisco and Los Angeles, arguing that the armed forces is essential to combat crime and protect ICE officers.
Data indicates that most violent crime nationwide has decreased in the past few years. In Chicago, for example, murders were down 31% to 278 through August, according to police data.
A recent poll published on that day found that most Americans disapprove of the sending of troops without an foreign danger.
