A big city mayor is under federal investigation for racial discrimination in hiring, but deflected by calling President Donald Trump a “monster.”
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The Department of Justice is probing whether Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration violated the Civil Rights Act by making race-based hiring decisions that may have discriminated against certain groups, even as the mayor defiantly defended his diverse staff.
The DOJ’s Civil Rights Division has launched an investigation into Chicago’s municipal hiring practices after Johnson openly discussed his preference for hiring Black individuals.
Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon sent a letter to Johnson requesting a meeting to review potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin.
Rather than addressing the legal concerns directly, Johnson went on the offensive, calling President Trump a “monster” and dismissing the probe as politically motivated.
“Donald Trump is threatening and afraid of a city administration that looks like Chicago,” Johnson claimed, characterizing the investigation as nothing more than a “divisive tactic.”
His comments came after he previously stated he hired more Black individuals because they are the “most generous people on Earth” – a statement that likely triggered DOJ scrutiny.
The mayor’s office has released demographic data showing his staff is 34.3% Black, 30.5% white, 23.8% Hispanic, and 6.7% Asian, which Johnson touts as the most diverse administration in Chicago’s history.
The investigation is part of the Trump administration’s broader crackdown on DEI initiatives, which have been criticized for creating reverse discrimination.
While Chicago’s Corporation Counsel stated the city has not yet received formal notice of the investigation, the DOJ has requested a meeting with the mayor’s office to begin its review.
The probe comes at a challenging time for Johnson, whose administration has faced criticism for failing to address Chicago’s rampant crime and economic problems.
Instead of cooperating with federal authorities, Johnson has doubled down on his controversial stance, suggesting the investigation is motivated by fear and claiming Trump prefers less diverse administrations.
This deflection tactic appears aimed at mobilizing his political base rather than addressing the serious legal questions about discriminatory hiring practices.
Conservative legal experts noted that hiring based on race rather than qualifications is precisely what civil rights laws were designed to prevent.
While Johnson celebrates his administration’s diversity, the DOJ investigation will determine whether qualified candidates were passed over simply because they belonged to the wrong racial group.
As this investigation unfolds, it represents a significant test case for whether progressive DEI policies prioritizing racial outcomes over equal treatment can withstand legal scrutiny.
This is under federal civil rights laws enacted to ensure all Americans receive fair and equal treatment regardless of race.
