In another witch-hunt against President Trump, liberal Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s fiery comments about him have ignited a storm of controversy.
Johnson lashed out at President Trump, calling him a “monster” after the Department of Justice launched an investigation into the city’s potentially discriminatory hiring practices.
The DOJ probe comes after Johnson’s recent comments at a local church where he boasted about intentionally hiring Black individuals because they are the “most generous people on Earth.”
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division sent a letter to Johnson’s office this week questioning whether Chicago’s hiring practices violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
The investigation appears to be part of President Trump’s broader crackdown on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that many conservatives view as reverse discrimination.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon specifically inquired whether racial preferences guided hiring decisions for lower-level positions throughout Chicago’s government.
The DOJ has requested a meeting with the mayor’s office to begin reviewing the city’s hiring procedures and decision-making processes.
Rather than addressing the legitimate legal questions raised by the DOJ, Johnson immediately went on the attack, accusing President Trump of having “animus towards women, people of color, and working people.”
During a press conference, the Chicago mayor claimed the investigation was motivated by fear and that Trump feels threatened by diverse leadership.
“This administration has been very clear about their hostility towards working people, women and Black and brown communities,” Johnson railed.
“We’re not going to allow a monster like Donald Trump to distract us from the work that we’re doing,” he added.
Moreover, Johnson’s office released demographic data showing his staff composition is 34.3% Black, 30.5% white, 23.8% Hispanic, and 6.7% Asian.
“He’s a monster.”
Mayor Brandon Johnson takes aim at President Trump days after the U.S. Justice Department announced a probe of Chicago hiring practices. pic.twitter.com/iJtDNTLvDV
— Tahman Bradley (@tahmanbradley) May 21, 2025
The mayor proudly declared his administration “the most diverse in Chicago’s history” while dismissing legitimate questions about whether race-based hiring decisions violate federal law.
While Johnson focuses on racial bean-counting in his administration, Chicago continues to face rampant crime, economic decline, and deteriorating public services.
The mayor’s recent comments at a Woodlawn church, which prompted the investigation, revealed his focus on racial preferences rather than merit-based hiring to address the city’s numerous problems.
Chicago’s Corporation Counsel maintains the city has not yet received a formal notice of investigation.
However, the DOJ’s inquiry comes amid growing national pushback against DEI programs that prioritize race, gender, and other identity characteristics over qualifications and merit.
The Trump administration has signaled its intention to enforce civil rights laws as written, ensuring equal treatment for all Americans regardless of race.
This starkly contrasts with the previous administration’s push for equity-based approaches, often resulting in different treatment based on racial categories.
As the investigation unfolds, Chicago residents wonder whether their mayor is more concerned with maintaining his diversity numbers or actually addressing the city’s systemic problems by hiring the most qualified individuals regardless of race.
