Democratic officials in Chicago, Illinois, including Mayor Brandon Johnson and Governor JB Pritzker, have reacted with fury to the deployment of federal agents to locate and apprehend illegal aliens and wanted criminals, and demanded that the Trump administration immediately withdraw them.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is unfazed by their outraged response, however, and informed President Donald Trump that she is "doubling down" on his plan to flood Chicago with federal assets and make the city safe again, according to The Hill.

In fact, the secretary told the president that DHS is working to purchase properties in and around the city from which to stage additional officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, along with agents from other federal law enforcement agencies.

Buying more properties for ICE to operate from

During a Cabinet meeting at the White House on Thursday, Secretary Noem let it be known that the federal operations in and around Chicago would not stop because of the incendiary Democratic opposition, but instead would only grow larger and more intense with the purchase of additional properties to operate from.

"We’re purchasing more buildings in Chicago to operate out of. We’re going to not back off," Noem told President Trump. "In fact, we’re doubling down, and we’re going to be in more parts of Chicago in response to the people there."

"I was there a few days ago and looked at some facilities that we can deploy more law enforcement out of," she added. "Because what they’re trying to do with these riots and violence is distract us and keep us from going after those murderers and rapists that are out on the streets."

"We’re going to try to buy that building today"

According to the Chicago Tribune, Secretary Noem did not elaborate any further on her planned property purchases in and around Chicago, but did indicate those plans during a visit last Friday at the federal facility in the neighboring suburb of Broadview.

While speaking with CBP and ICE officials at the facility, Noem was spotted pointing to a nearby structure and overheard saying, "We’re going to try to buy that building today."

"So, give you more space," she added at that time. "Let you spread out and tell everybody and send a message: We’re not just here, we’re here to stay, and we’re expanding, and we’re going to make this city safe again."

"We’re going to send more of our resources"

During the Cabinet meeting, according to the Tribune, President Trump spoke of the staunch opposition federal agents have faced not just from the "sinister threat of left-wing domestic terrorism and violence," but also from Democratic politicians like Gov. Pritzker and Mayor Johnson, and observed, "We stop crime, and they allow crime. They want crime. It doesn’t make sense."

Secretary Noem acknowledged the resistance the federal efforts have faced in Chicago and other Democratic strongholds like Portland, Oregon, but asserted, "We’re going to send more of our resources and men and women out there to keep everybody safe. So no worries."

She also pointed to the successful crime reduction efforts in places like Washington, D.C., and Memphis, Tennessee, which were examples of "what a partnership can be between local law enforcement and the federal government," but added, "If we have to do it the hard way in Portland and Chicago, we will."

Calling out the opposition

At the time of her visit to Chicago last week, Secretary Noem posted on X of the political opposition she faced, "Brandon Johnson and @JBPritzker are doing everything in their power to shelter and protect criminal illegal alien gangbangers, murderers, and violent anarchists."

"@ChicagosMayor just reaffirmed his allegiance to criminal illegal aliens with his pathetic 'ICE free zones' declaration," she added. "Fortunately for the innocent citizens of Chicago -- the Trump administration doesn’t protect criminals -- we arrest them."