In response, Mayor Johnson wrote on social media: ‘This is not the first time Trump has tried to wrongfully imprison a black man’
The president of, stated this Wednesday (8) that the mayor of Brandon Johnson, and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker should “be in the chair for not protecting ICE agents,” in reference to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The statement was made in a publication on the Truth Social network and intensified the confrontation between the Republican and the two Democratic leaders.
Trump did not specify which laws the two had allegedly violated. In response, Mayor Johnson wrote on social media: “This isn’t the first time Trump has tried to wrongfully imprison a black man. I’m not going anywhere.” Pritzker reacted by saying: “I will not back down. Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives who limit his power. What else is needed for us to reach full authoritarianism?”
White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson supported the president and criticized the two Democrats: “These failed leaders have stood by while innocent Americans continue to be victims of violent crimes.” The statement comes amid ICE raids in Chicago that have sparked protests and prompted the Trump administration to federalize the National Guard in Illinois — a move opposed by local officials. The state and the city took legal action to try to block the sending of troops.
Illinois Democrats say Trump exaggerates crime rates, which have been falling in big cities, and that the presence of the National Guard only increases tension. Trump, on the other hand, defended the intervention saying that “Chicago cannot be a great city if there are murders and a lot of problems.” The National Guard, however, does not have the power to arrest, only temporary detention in cases of security threats. The episode expands the clash between the White House and Democratic administrations over immigration and public security.
*With information from Estadão Conteúdo
