Twenty-four hours after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson proudly proclaimed the variety of Black metropolis officers he is employed, officers with the Trump administration’s U.S. Division of Justice introduced they’re investigating the town’s hiring practices.
On Monday afternoon, the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division despatched a letter to Johnson explaining it was opening an investigation to find out whether or not the town of Chicago is “engaged in a sample or follow of discrimination based mostly on race,” following feedback Johnson made at a South Aspect church on Sunday.
At a “Lakeside chat” with Bishop Byron Brazier on the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, Johnson referred to “our individuals” whereas itemizing out numerous Black metropolis officers that he and his administration employed and positioned in prime authorities positions.
“Enterprise and financial neighborhood improvement, the deputy mayor is a Black lady. Division of planning and improvement is a Black lady. Infrastructure, deputy mayor is a Black lady. Chief operations officer is a Black man. Finances director is a Black lady. Senior advisor is a Black man,” Johnson stated.
Justice officers stated they’re investigating whether or not the town is violating the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the premise of race. Within the letter to the mayor, Assistant Lawyer Common Harmeet Dhillon writes, “Our investigation is predicated on info suggesting that you’ve got made hiring choices solely on the premise of race. In your remarks yesterday on the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, you ‘spotlight[ed] the variety of Black officers in [your] administration.'”
The letter cites an MSN reprint of a put up from The Instances of India, which is predicated on a clip posted by the X account @EndWokeness. The article from the media outlet options the headline: “‘May he be extra racist?’ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson slammed for ‘solely hiring black individuals’ remark in viral speech.”
In February, Johnson made headlines for saying he ought to have “cleaned home” extra rapidly after taking workplace, referring to holdovers from earlier mayoral administrations who he stated didn’t agree together with his values.
“Should you ain’t with us, you simply gotta go,” Johnson stated at New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church in February.
The DOJ onslaught comes as Trump wages a wider struggle in opposition to systemic range, fairness and inclusion throughout the nation. Dhillon, who authored the letter, is a former Trump marketing campaign authorized adviser and ex-Republican get together official.
“When the Lawyer Common has affordable trigger to imagine {that a} state or native authorities employer is engaged in a sample or follow of discrimination,” the letter states, “it’s the Lawyer Common’s duty to take acceptable motion to eradicate that violation.”
As NBC Information has reported, the Civil Rights Division has undergone a serious transformation since Dhillon took over, with one official calling an onslaught of exits “a whole massacre.” Greater than a dozen senior attorneys — many with many years of expertise working below presidents of each events — have been reassigned, the present and former officers say. Some have resigned in frustration after they have been moved to much less fascinating roles unrelated to their experience, based on the sources.
Johnson’s workplace responded to the DOJ investigation in a press release, saying: “Mayor Johnson is proud to have essentially the most various administration within the historical past of our metropolis. Our administration displays the variety and values of Chicago. Sadly, the present federal administration doesn’t mirror both. We’re conscious of the letter issued by the Division of Justice, however are awaiting the official receipt of the letter. Our Company Counsel will evaluate it at the moment.”
The mayor’s workplace is 34% Black, 31% white, 24% p.c Hispanic, 7% Asian and 5% two or extra ethnicities, based on statistics offered by Johnson’s workers.
NBC Chicago has not been capable of independently confirm whether or not the present administration is essentially the most various in metropolis historical past.
Subsequent, metropolis attorneys will evaluate the accusations and reply with a potential assembly between the mayor’s workplace and DOJ. Justice officers stated they’re involved if prime degree Chicago positions are being stuffed based mostly on race, then they’ve questions on lower-level jobs, as properly. Usually, these sample and follow civil rights investigations take 12 to 18 months, and infrequently finish in consent decrees. These aren’t prison investigations however generally result in prison referrals.
