President Donald Trump called for the arrest of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker on October 8, 2025, amid an ongoing dispute over immigration enforcement and federal-state authority.

Story Highlights

• On October 8, 2025, President Trump advocated for the imprisonment of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker.
• Trump’s statement stemmed from allegations that the officials failed to protect federal ICE officers.
• The dispute involves federal immigration enforcement and Democrat-led sanctuary policies.
• 400 Texas National Guard troops were deployed to Chicago, despite objections from local and state authorities.
• Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson have publicly challenged Trump’s actions, asserting their constitutional authority.

Trump Takes Stand Against Sanctuary City Leaders

On October 8, 2025, President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, stating that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker “should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers.” This declaration coincided with the arrival of 400 National Guard troops from Texas at training facilities near Chicago, supplementing 300 federalized Illinois Guard members already authorized for deployment. This action marks a significant assertion of federal power, with Trump framing it as essential for immigration enforcement in a city known for its sanctuary policies that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

The deployment represents an uncommon move by the federal government to station military forces in a major American city against the explicit wishes of both local and state leadership. Chicago has maintained robust protections for undocumented immigrants, with both Illinois state law and municipal policies designed to foster trust between immigrant communities and local law enforcement. The Trump administration views these sanctuary policies as obstructing federal immigration law, leading to a constitutional debate regarding the limits of presidential power and the balance between federal authority and local sovereignty.

🚨 BREAKING: President Trump calls for Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson to be JAILED for their failure to protect ICE officers

Lock ‘em up! pic.twitter.com/frJYY26Ylp

— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) October 8, 2025

Democratic Officials Respond

Governor Pritzker and Mayor Johnson issued strong rebuttals to Trump’s statements. Governor Pritzker stated, “I will not back down. Donald Trump is using our service members as political props.” Mayor Johnson similarly affirmed, “I’m not going anywhere. Chicago will not be intimidated, and we will not be silent.” Both officials contended that the federal troop deployment undermines local authority and risks escalating tensions rather than addressing underlying public safety concerns. Their defiance highlights ideological divisions over immigration policy, with Democrats defending immigrant rights and local autonomy against what they characterize as federal overreach.

Both officials are operating within their constitutional duties by challenging what they perceive as an abuse of federal power. The confrontation raises a fundamental question for American federalism: the demarcation between presidential authority and state sovereignty. While previous administrations have engaged with sanctuary cities over funding and cooperation, deploying National Guard troops against local wishes represents an unprecedented escalation in recent history.

Operation Midway Blitz Intensifies Immigration Enforcement

The current situation stems from Operation Midway Blitz, a federal immigration enforcement initiative targeting cities with sanctuary policies, which resulted in numerous arrests in the Chicago area throughout early October 2025. The operation reflects Trump’s broader strategy of aggressive immigration enforcement, continuing policies from his first term and expanding the use of federal resources to pressure Democrat-led jurisdictions. Immigration advocates express concerns that aggressive enforcement tactics can undermine public safety by deterring immigrant cooperation with local law enforcement, potentially leading to underreporting of crimes due to fear of deportation.

This deployment occurs amidst Trump’s second-term immigration agenda, which has included signing the Laken Riley Act, blocking non-citizens from entering the country, reinstating the national emergency at the Mexico-U.S. border, and designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations. His administration reports a nearly 90% drop in border crossings since his January 2025 inauguration, with criminal prosecutions of those apprehended increasing by over 50%. Critics argue that these tactics prioritize political messaging over practical solutions, straining intergovernmental relations while not addressing the root causes of immigration challenges.

Constitutional Questions Arise in Federal-Local Power Struggle

The standoff between Trump and Illinois officials raises significant questions about the future of American federalism and democratic norms. Legal challenges are ongoing, with courts expected to determine whether federal troop deployments in major cities over local objections fall within constitutional boundaries. The episode tests the balance of power between federal and state governments amidst increasingly partisan disputes over issues like immigration.

Watch the report: BREAKING NEWS: Trump Demands Jail for Chicago Mayor, Governor Pritzker | DWS News | AC1N

Sources:

Donald Trump Chicago Mayor Illinois Governor Jail Immigration Row – India Today
Trump Threatens to Jail Chicago Leaders – Colitco