Trump Calls for Chicago Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker to Be Jailed

On October 8, 2025, President Donald Trump escalated his confrontation with Democratic leaders in Illinois by publicly declaring on his social media platform Truth Social that Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker "should be in jail." This incendiary message came amid ongoing tensions over law enforcement and immigration enforcement policies in Chicago.

In his Truth Social post, President Trump explicitly stated, "The Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker as well!" This public denunciation reflects Trump's hardline stance on immigration enforcement and law and order, specifically criticizing the local leadership for what he perceives as negligence toward federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents operating within the city.nbcnews+1

Context of the Dispute

Trump's remarks followed the controversial arrival of several hundred National Guard troops from Texas, deployed to Illinois to assist with law enforcement related to immigration raids and crime control. This decision was fiercely opposed by both Johnson and Pritzker. The Democratic leaders have accused the federal government of overreach and militarizing Chicago unnecessarily, initiating legal actions to block troop deployment. Despite this, National Guard troops took their positions near Chicago to support federal agencies amid heightened immigration enforcement efforts.apnews+2

Responses from Pritzker and Johnson

Governor JB Pritzker responded defiantly to Trump's jail call on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter). He said, "I will not back down," and called Trump's demands "a step down the road to outright authoritarianism." Pritzker criticized the President for targeting elected officials and branded him as "a coward" for boasting about such threats without actual enforcement capability. His remarks emphasized resistance to what he views as political intimidation tactics.cbsnews+1

Similarly, Mayor Brandon Johnson condemned Trump's post, characterizing the President as unstable and a threat to democratic norms. Johnson highlighted that this was not the first time Trump had sought to unjustly target a Black man, asserting, "I'm not going anywhere. We're going to defend all of Chicago." Johnson has also declared some city-owned properties as "ICE-free zones," limiting federal enforcement actions on these premises.aljazeera+2

Political and Legal Fallout

The tension between the White House and Illinois officials symbolizes the broader national conflict over immigration policy and the federal role in local law enforcement. Trump's aggressive rhetoric combined with troop deployment is part of his administration's broader strategy to crack down on migration and crime in major cities. However, critics see the actions as political maneuvers that escalate division and undermine local governance.

Legal efforts from the State of Illinois seek to prevent the federal deployment of troops, with court hearings ongoing. The dispute has energized protests and resistance and is shaping up to be a key issue in upcoming state and national elections.nbcnews+2

Conclusion

President Trump's Truth Social posts calling for the jailing of Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Governor JB Pritzker mark a significant escalation in his dispute with Democratic leaders over immigration enforcement and public safety in Chicago. Both Johnson and Pritzker remain firm in their opposition, framing Trump's statements as authoritarian threats rather than legitimate grievances, underscoring the deep political polarization in the United States on these critical issues.cbsnews+2

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Thursday, October 9, 2025

Trump Calls for Chicago Mayor Johnson and Gov. Pritzker to Be Jailed