Chicago (Somalia Today) — President Donald Trump escalated his feud with Democratic leaders on Wednesday, calling for the jailing of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson as hundreds of National Guard troops were staged near the city.
The move marked a new flashpoint in the standoff between the White House and Democratic-led cities over federal immigration enforcement.
In a social media post, Trump accused both leaders of failing to protect federal immigration officers.
“Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” he wrote, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Clash over “ICE-Free Zone”
The remarks followed Mayor Johnson’s executive order on Monday declaring Chicago an “ICE-Free Zone.” The order bars federal immigration agents from using city resources in their operations.
Responding online, Johnson said, “This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested. I’m not going anywhere.”
Governor Pritzker, seen by many as a potential 2028 presidential contender, accused Trump of undermining democracy.
“What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?” Pritzker asked, saying he would not bow to federal pressure.
Military officials said roughly 500 National Guard soldiers from Texas and Illinois were assembled near Chicago. Their stated mission is to protect federal personnel and property, including ICE facilities. They had not entered the city.
The deployment mirrors earlier actions in Portland, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. The administration says the measures combat crime. Local leaders reject that claim.
“My goal is very simple: STOP CRIME IN AMERICA!” Trump wrote.
Official data shows violent crime has declined in many major U.S. cities since its pandemic-era peak. A recent Reuters/Ipsos poll found that most Americans oppose deploying military forces domestically without an external threat.
Legal battles and fallout
The deployment has triggered legal challenges. Earlier this week, a federal judge denied Illinois’ request to block the troop movement. Another federal court issued an injunction against a similar action in Portland.
Pritzker accused the administration of stoking unrest to justify a wider military role.
Several of Trump’s longtime opponents are also facing legal trouble. Former FBI Director James Comey pleaded not guilty to charges of making false statements and obstructing a congressional investigation, becoming the first prominent Trump critic to be prosecuted after years of Trump calling for rivals’ imprisonment.
In a separate ruling, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey Cummings found that ICE violated a 2022 agreement restricting warrantless arrests in several Midwestern states. The court extended that agreement until February, curbing some ICE tactics.
Analysts warn the administration may be preparing to invoke the Insurrection Act. This law allows federal troops to operate inside U.S. cities without state approval. It was last used during the 1992 Los Angeles riots.
If invoked, it could override court rulings that limit federal deployments and further test the balance of power between the federal government and the states.
