In a recent post on Truth Social, former President Donald Trump made headlines by suggesting that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker should face jail time. Trump’s statement accused Mayor Johnson of failing to protect U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers, claiming, "Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Officers! Governor Pritzker also!"
In response to Trump's provocative remarks, Governor Pritzker took to X (formerly Twitter), asserting, "I will not back down." Pritzker criticized Trump's call for the arrest of elected officials, dubbing it a move towards "full-blown authoritarianism." In a series of posts, he highlighted the actions of federal agents, stating, "His masked agents already are grabbing people off the street, separating children from their parents, and creating fear. This is not just an immigration issue; it is a matter of civil rights." He pointed out that federal forces are allegedly targeting individuals based solely on their appearance.
The controversy comes amid a significant increase in ICE operations in Chicago, especially since the launch of Operation Midway Blitz by the Department of Homeland Security at the beginning of September. This operation has resulted in numerous arrests and heightened tensions within the community. Mayor Johnson recently signed an executive order to prohibit ICE and other federal agencies from utilizing city property for civil immigration enforcement, effectively restricting their ability to conduct operations within the city.
Governor Pritzker has been vocal in his opposition to the use of federal forces in Illinois, especially following the deployment of National Guard troops. This decision has sparked clashes between demonstrators and federal agents outside an ICE processing facility in Broadview, Illinois, where more than a dozen protesters were arrested in recent weeks. Pritzker condemned this federal immigration enforcement, emphasizing that it instills fear not only in undocumented individuals but also in U.S. citizens who are people of color.
Both Pritzker and California Governor Gavin Newsom have called for a united front among state leaders against the Trump administration's actions. Pritzker has urged governors across the nation to denounce the deployment of National Guard troops. He threatened that if the National Governors Association remains silent on this issue, Illinois may withdraw its membership. "We should be standing as one against the idea that Donald Trump can call up the National Guard against our will," Pritzker stated, highlighting the association's role in representing governors from all 50 states.
The escalating tensions between local and federal authorities in Chicago reflect broader national issues surrounding immigration enforcement and civil rights. With arrests, raids, and protests becoming commonplace, the situation remains dynamic. CBS News Chicago has reached out to both Mayor Johnson and Governor Pritzker's offices for further comments regarding Trump's controversial post and the ongoing implications for Chicago's communities.
