Trump Calls for Jailing of Windy City Mayor and State Executive as National Guard Deploy in Metropolis

Ex-President Donald Trump on midweek called for the incarceration of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of not safeguarding ICE agents.

"Chicago's Mayor should be jailed for failing to secure Immigration agents!" Trump posted on social media Wednesday morning. "Governor Pritzker too!"

The two leaders identify as the Democratic party.

These remarks come alongside the deployment of National Guard personnel in the Chicago region under orders from the current government, notwithstanding strong objections from Illinois authorities such as Pritzker and Johnson.

"This marks yet another attempt where Trump attempted to have an African American leader unjustly detained," Johnson responded on Wednesday. "I am staying put."

Pritzker also replied via social platforms, declaring: "I will not yield. Now Trump is calling for imprisonment of democratically chosen representatives checking his power. What's next on the path to complete authoritarianism?"

As of midweek, military troops from the Lone Star State had arrived at the Elwood training facility, an army base approximately 50 miles from the city, as the federal government pushes forward with its aggressive urban crime policy and immigration enforcement operations.

The president has labeled Chicago a "dangerous disaster zone", even though official statistics indicate significant drops in most criminal activities, such as homicides.

That day, 200 state guard troops were scheduled to arrive to the region, with another 300 Illinois guard personnel readying for deployment, according to reports. Authorities indicated the soldiers would avoid police functions but would protect federal immigration agents and government buildings.

Military personnel in combat attire with Texas national guard insignia were observed at the US army reserve center in the town. Vehicles labeled "Disaster Relief" delivered portable toilets and essential items. Mobile units were set up in lines. Extra barriers was placed around the perimeter.

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

Federal authorities has escalated immigration enforcement in the city in the past month, triggering demonstrations, especially near an immigration center in a Chicago suburb.

On Monday, 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 "the president's proclaimed 'War'" on Chicago and Illinois, calling it "illegal and risky".

Legal proceedings on their lawsuit is set for Thursday.

Mayor Johnson also issued an directive on Monday prohibiting ICE officers and others from using city-owned property as staging areas for enforcement actions.

Pritzker has accused Trump of using troops as "staged tools" and "chess pieces".

During a press briefing on Tuesday, he said that Trump is attempting to "justify and normalize the deployment of armed soldiers under his personal authority."

The historic Posse Comitatus Act limits the army's involvement in enforcing domestic laws. Yet, Trump has said he would be prepared to activate the Insurrection Act, which allows a commander-in-chief to send regular army in states that are unable to suppress an uprising or are defying federal law.

After beginning his second term, Trump has dispatched or mentioned deploying military units to over ten cities, including major metropolitan areas and California cities like Bay Area and Southern California municipalities, claiming that the military presence is essential to combat crime and defend immigration agents.

Statistics indicates that serious offenses nationwide has declined in recent years. In Chicago, for instance, homicides were reduced nearly one-third to under three hundred through August, according to law enforcement reports.

New survey data published on that day found that most Americans oppose the sending of military forces without an external threat.

Jasmine Johnson
Jasmine Johnson

A Berlin-based gaming analyst with over a decade of experience in online casinos and slot machine strategies.