Politics
JUST IN: DOJ Launches Investigation Into Far-Left Mayor Brandon Johnson
The U.S. Department of Justice has officially launched a civil rights investigation into the City of Chicago under Mayor Brandon Johnson, following allegations that the city’s hiring practices under his leadership may violate federal anti-discrimination laws.
In a letter on Monday, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division informed Johnson that it is investigating whether his administration engaged in a “pattern or practice of discrimination based on race” in violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
“Business and economic neighborhood development, the deputy mayor is a Black woman,” Johnson said. “Department of planning and development is a Black woman… Infrastructure, deputy mayor is a Black woman… Chief operations officer is a Black man… Budget director is a Black woman… Senior advisor is a Black man.”
Johnson concluded by stating that he was “laying” these positions “out” to “ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business[es],” in what critics say amounted to an admission of race-based hiring.
In response, Harmeet K. Dhillon, Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, authorized the investigation. In the letter to Mayor Johnson, Dhillon stated that while the DOJ has not yet reached any final conclusions, the remarks made during the church appearance raised significant concerns about whether the city’s employment decisions are being made lawfully.
CHICAGO, Ill. – August 19, 2024: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) addresses the 2024 Democratic National Convention in the United Center.
“If these kinds of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration,” Dhillon wrote, “then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions.”
The investigation will focus on whether the City of Chicago has systematically prioritized race in staffing decisions, potentially excluding qualified candidates based on skin color. Under Title VII, it is illegal for any state or local government to discriminate in hiring practices on the basis of race, among other protected categories.
The DOJ’s letter also indicated coordination with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), signaling that the civil rights watchdog may pursue its own enforcement actions pending the results of the investigation.
Mayor Johnson, a former union organizer and progressive activist, has been under increasing scrutiny for his administration’s handling of crime, homelessness, and public spending in the nation’s third-largest city.
Johnson rose to prominence through his work with the Chicago Teachers Union, where he helped lead the 2012 teachers’ strike. Before becoming mayor, he served as a Cook County Commissioner, representing the 1st District from 2018 to 2023. Johnson won the 2023 mayoral race by defeating Paul Vallas in a runoff, securing just over 52% of the vote.
Johnson’s administration has also been dogged by concerns over rising crime and declining public trust. Some blame his progressive policies for a perceived reduction in safety and argue that moves like scrapping ShotSpotter weakened the city’s crime-fighting tools. Polling shows that Johnson’s approval ratings have slipped significantly, and he now ranks among the least popular big-city mayors in the country.
With the next election set for 2027 and figures like former Mayor Rahm Emanuel reportedly considering a run, Johnson may face a tough reelection battle unless he can stabilize public support.
