Link to The President intensifies pressure on Democratic strongholds, accusing local leaders of failing to safeguard federal agents. Chicago sees increased militarization as Texas National Guard troops arriveThe President intensifies pressure on Democratic strongholds, accusing local leaders of failing to safeguard federal agents. Chicago sees increased militarization as Texas National Guard troops arrive
President Donald Trump has ignited new political turmoil by calling for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect federal immigration agents from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement).
“The Mayor of Chicago should be in jail for not defending ICE agents. So should Governor Pritzker,”
Trump declared in a social media post, just hours before the arrival of the first units of the Texas National Guard in Illinois.
Although Trump did not cite any specific law allegedly broken by the Democratic officials, his comments underscore a deepening conflict between the federal government and Democratic-led cities such as Los Angeles, Portland, and Chicago.
The White House has authorized the deployment of National Guard troops to what it considers unsafe “progressive strongholds”, justifying the action as a necessary step to protect federal agents conducting immigration raids. Legal challenges from local authorities and temporary court injunctions have so far failed to halt the mobilization.
Federal troops on Chicago streets
Tensions in Chicago have already been running high following recent ICE operations, which sparked protests and isolated clashes. Now, 400 elite troops from the Texas National Guard are being deployed to assist 300 Illinois Guard members, who have been placed under federal command. The new forces have established a base in Elwood, a suburb of Chicago, and are preparing to patrol the streets.
The move has triggered fierce backlash. Governor Pritzker, speaking at an event in Minneapolis, labeled the president’s actions “insane” and accused Trump of suffering from “dementia.” Days earlier, Pritzker had personally called Texas Governor Greg Abbott to demand the immediate withdrawal of the troops — a request Abbott swiftly rejected.
“The President has full authorization to deploy the troops to protect federal agents,” Abbott said in a public statement.
Pritzker vowed to use “every possible legal tool” to block what he described as a federal power grab, warning that “the military should never be used against American communities.” He further accused Trump of using U.S. troops as political propaganda and as “hostages” in his bid to militarize liberal cities.
Mayor Johnson also issued a strong rebuke, calling the National Guard deployment to Chicago “illegal, unconstitutional, dangerous, and wrong.”
“No matter what this administration does,” Johnson said, “I remain committed to protecting the rights and the very civility of our nation — starting here in Chicago.”
No arrests, but power to detain
The National Guard troops sent to Illinois do not have arrest powers but are authorized to detain individuals deemed an imminent threat, transferring them to law enforcement. According to U.S. Northern Command, the mission of these forces is to safeguard federal employees and infrastructure.
Despite providing no evidence, Trump doubled down on his criticism of Chicago:
“Chicago is a great city, but it can’t be great if there are murders and problems — and there are.”
The escalation marks a dramatic shift in federal-local relations, as the Trump administration increasingly frames public safety and immigration enforcement as a battlefront within U.S. borders — and Democratic cities as adversaries in that conflict.
(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati(Associated Medias) - Tutti i diritti sono riservati