Cliff Notes
- Donald Trump has suggested that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson should be jailed for not protecting federal immigration officers, without presenting supporting evidence.
- The Trump administration is reportedly deploying Texas National Guard soldiers in Chicago amidst prior threats of mass immigration raids, despite local objections and protests.
- Pritzker and Johnson have condemned Trump’s remarks, with Pritzker suggesting they signify a move towards authoritarianism, as federal troops have been previously deployed in US cities under contentious circumstances.
Trump says Illinois governor and Chicago mayor should be jailed, as National Guard deployed
Donald Trump has said the governor of Illinois and mayor of Chicago, both Democrats, should be jailed – as his administration appears poised to deploy troops on the streets of the third-largest US city.
The US president said on Truth Social that governor JB Pritzker and mayor Brandon Johnson failed to protect federal immigration officers, without offering any evidence.
Mr Trump wrote: “Chicago mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!”
In a post on X, Mr Johnson said: “This is not the first time Trump has tried to have a black man unjustly arrested. I’m not going anywhere.”
Mr Pritzker also said on social media: “Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power.
“What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism?”
His remarks followed the deployment of hundreds of Texas National Guard soldiers outside Chicago despite the objections of officials.
The reason for their deployment is not clear, but the Trump administration has for months threatened mass immigration raids and a military presence in the city, which have been met with heavy protests.
National Guard troops are state-based militia who normally answer to local governors and are often deployed in response to natural disasters.
While the military’s role in enforcing domestic laws is limited, Mr Trump has said he would be willing to invoke the Insurrection Act, which allows a president to dispatch active duty military in states that are unable to put down an insurrection or are defying federal law.