Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson lashed out at President Donald Trump after he said the two Democrats should be arrested for obstructing federal law enforcement operations in Chicago. The president’s comments followed reports that city officials ordered police to withhold assistance from ICE agents under attack by violent pro-migrant protesters.
On Wednesday, President Trump posted on Truth Social, “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” He accused both officials of undermining federal efforts to restore order and enforce immigration law amid escalating sanctuary city tensions.
Pritzker quickly fired back, labeling the president an “authoritarian.” In a defiant message on X, the governor wrote, “Trump is now calling for the arrest of elected representatives checking his power. What else is left on the path to full-blown authoritarianism? I will not back down.”
Mayor Johnson responded by invoking race, claiming the president targeted him because he is Black. “This is not the first time Trump has tried to have a Black man unjustly arrested,” Johnson said, adding, “I’m not going anywhere.”
During a CNN interview, Johnson escalated his rhetoric, calling President Trump “unstable” and “unhinged.” He said, “It’s certainly not the first time that Donald Trump has called for the arresting of a black man unjustly. I’m going to stay firm as the mayor of this amazing city… and we’re going to defend all of Chicago.”
The confrontation comes after Johnson claimed on Monday to have established “ICE-free zones” in Chicago, blocking federal agents from using city-owned properties for immigration enforcement operations. Federal officials criticized the move as illegal interference with federal law enforcement duties.
Trump has repeatedly accused Johnson and Pritzker of enabling lawlessness in Chicago through sanctuary city policies and lax crime enforcement. The president has vowed that federal agents will continue operations in defiance of local obstruction orders.
