Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faces a Department of Justice civil rights investigation for allegedly hiring based on race while maintaining just 14% approval rating.
Key Takeaways
- The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division is investigating Chicago’s hiring practices under Mayor Johnson for potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
- Johnson has publicly emphasized hiring Black individuals, stating “when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else.”
- Despite an approval rating in the low teens, Johnson remains defiant against the investigation, calling it “tyranny” from the Trump administration.
- Johnson claims his staff is diverse with 34% Black, 30% white, 23% Hispanic, and 7% Asian employees.
- Legal experts suggest political appointments may not be subject to Title VII employment discrimination laws.
DOJ Launches Investigation Into Race-Based Hiring
President Trump’s Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s hiring practices, examining whether the city violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by making employment decisions based on race. The probe follows Johnson’s public statements about prioritizing Black hires in his administration. At a Black congregation, Johnson made remarks suggesting he specifically focused on hiring Black individuals, which prompted scrutiny from federal authorities who are concerned that qualified candidates of other races may have been discriminated against in the process.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sent a formal letter to Chicago officials requesting extensive documentation of hiring practices, including records of all individuals hired since Johnson took office, their racial demographics, and communications regarding hiring criteria. This investigation represents part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to ensure hiring practices across the country comply with civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.
Johnson’s Defiant Response
Mayor Johnson has responded with defiance to the federal investigation, framing it as an attack on diversity rather than an inquiry into potentially illegal hiring discrimination. Despite his dismal approval rating in the low teens, Johnson remains steadfast in his position, dismissing concerns about his administration’s hiring practices. In a press conference addressing the investigation, Johnson characterized the probe as politically motivated and an attempt to undermine his leadership and vision for Chicago.
“We’re not going to be intimidated by the tyranny that’s coming from the federal government. The diversity of our city is our strength,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
Johnson’s combative stance comes despite mounting criticism of his administration’s performance on key issues including crime, homelessness, and economic development. The mayor has attempted to shift focus away from his controversial hiring statements by highlighting individuals of various backgrounds who work for the city, while simultaneously doubling down on his commitment to what he calls “diversity” initiatives.
Controversial Statements at Heart of Investigation
At the center of the DOJ investigation are Johnson’s own words, which appear to confirm a hiring approach that prioritizes race. In remarks that triggered the federal inquiry, Johnson emphasized his focus on hiring Black people and defended this approach by claiming such hires would benefit everyone. These statements raise serious questions about whether Chicago’s government is making employment decisions based on racial preferences rather than qualifications and merit.
“There are some detractors that will push back on me and say, you know, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people.’ No, what I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet. I don’t know too many cultures that have played cousins,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson.
In an attempt to counter allegations of discrimination, Johnson has provided a demographic breakdown of his 105-member staff, claiming it includes 34% Black, 30% white, 23% Hispanic, 7% Asian, and 5% of two or more ethnicities. The mayor has also pointed to specific examples of non-Black individuals in his administration, including his deputy mayor and head of the Department of Finance Development, both of whom are Black women.
Legal Questions and Political Fallout
The investigation raises complex legal questions about the application of civil rights laws to political appointments. Johnson has argued that political appointments are not subject to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, suggesting that race-based considerations for such positions may be permissible. Some legal experts have supported this view, noting that employment discrimination laws typically do not cover political appointments, which could potentially provide Johnson with a legal defense against the DOJ’s inquiry.
The political implications of this investigation extend beyond Chicago, highlighting the broader conflict between the Trump administration’s approach to enforcing civil rights laws and progressive politicians who prioritize identity-based hiring practices. While Johnson attempts to frame the probe as an attack on diversity, the central issue remains whether hiring decisions made primarily on racial grounds violate federal law, regardless of which racial group benefits from such practices.
