Trump calls for Chicago mayor, Illinois governor to be jailed

US President Donald Trump has called for the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, accusing them of failing to protect federal immigration officers during operations targeting illegal migrants.

Writing on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump said: “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE officers! Governor Pritzker also!”

In early September 2025, President Donald Trump launched a major ICE crackdown in Chicago, targeting undocumented immigrants amid rising urban crime concerns. The operation involved aggressive raids, including Black Hawk helicopter deployments in neighbourhoods like South Shore, prompting accusations of "thuggery" from state leaders.

Despite objections from Illinois Gov. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Johnson—both Democrats—Trump federalised National Guard troops from Texas to protect federal agents, bypassing local consent. 

Pritzker sued to block the deployment, labelling it an "authoritarian march," while Johnson issued an executive order creating "ICE-free zones" on city property to shield residents from perceived rights violations.

By Aghakazim Guliyev