May 20th 2025.
The Department of Justice has recently expressed concerns over Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's focus on the number of Black officials in his administration. In fact, the DOJ's Civil Rights Division has announced that it will be launching an investigation into the mayor for possible discrimination. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon even shared a copy of the letter sent to Mayor Johnson, confirming the investigation of the city's "employment practices."
According to Dhillon, when the Attorney General has reasonable cause to believe that a state or local government employer is engaging in a pattern or practice of discrimination, it is their responsibility to take appropriate action to eliminate this violation. This may include injunctive relief. The letter was sent following Mayor Johnson's recent remarks at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, where he highlighted three Black officials in his administration.
Dhillon points out in her letter that the mayor specifically listed each of these individuals and emphasized their race. The officials in question include the deputy mayor of business and economic neighborhood development, the department of planning and development, and the infrastructure deputy mayor - all of whom are Black women.
So far, Mayor Brandon Johnson has not responded to the DOJ's investigation. When BLACK ENTERPRISE reached out to his office for comment, they did not provide a response. This investigation into the mayor, who is also Black, should not come as a surprise. Chicago, a city known for being left-leaning, has faced criticism from the Trump administration for various reasons.
During a visit to the Windy City with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, President Trump even went as far as to criticize former President Barack Obama's Presidential Center. In an interview with CBS News, Trump referred to the center as a "disaster" and blamed diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and "woke" construction workers for the project's cost overruns and delays.
Trump also made disparaging comments about Chicago during his first term as president and first visit to the city. As reported by The Guardian, he referred to the city as "embarrassing to us as a nation." This is despite Chicago being one of the most racially diverse cities in the U.S., with a population of approximately 2.7 million people within its city limits. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly half of the city's population identifies as white, while almost 30% identify as Hispanic or Latino, and 28% identify as Black.
In light of these recent events, it is important to remember the enduring struggle for Black liberation and equality. As we observe what would have been Malcolm X's 100th birthday, it is crucial to revisit his vision and continue the fight for justice and equality for all.
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