Trump’s DOJ Targets Brandon Johnson for “Too Many Black Hires”
What’s Really Going On?
A Black Mayor Celebrates Black Excellence — And Gets Investigated for It?
During a recent interview at Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn, a historic Black church on the South Side of Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson proudly shared what many of us would consider a badge of honor: that his administration is the most diverse in the city’s history.
Johnson said it plainly: “It is the most diverse administration in the history of Chicago.” He followed that up by listing out some of the Black leaders he’s appointed to senior roles.
That’s when the U.S. Department of Justice — led by Trump appointee Harmeet K. Dhillon — pounced.
This Monday, they sent a formal letter to Johnson’s office questioning whether hiring decisions were based on race and therefore a possible violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This is the same Civil Rights Act that was passed to protect Black folks from employment discrimination. The irony should not be lost on any of us.
The Facts: Does Brandon Johnson’s Office Look Like Chicago?
According to data from 2025, Johnson’s staff breakdown is:
34% Black
30% White
24% Latino
7% Asian
That’s in line with Chicago’s own racial demographics. So no — this isn’t some “pro-Black, anti-everyone else” administration. It’s what equity actually looks like: fair representation that reflects the city’s makeup.
But if you’re part of an administration that sees any form of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) as a threat to white dominance, this looks like a problem. And that’s exactly the energy coming out of the Trump DOJ.
Trump’s DOJ Has Been Busy — Just Not With Protecting Our Rights
The DOJ’s civil rights division has lost more than 70% of its attorneys since Trump took office again. Why? Because this administration has gutted the office’s original mission: protecting the civil rights of Black people, Indigenous people, and other people of color.
Instead, it’s retooled itself into what some are calling a “reverse-racism watchdog” — going after DEI programs, investigating support plans for Black students in public schools, and now targeting Black-led governments who actually try to center Black excellence.
Case in point:
The DOJ recently withdrew consent decrees meant to reform police departments in Minneapolis and Louisville — cities where George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were killed.
It also ended a settlement agreement over wastewater in a majority-Black Alabama county, claiming it conflicted with Trump’s anti-DEI executive order.
Make no mistake — this isn’t random. It’s part of a coordinated strategy to rollback every gain the civil rights movement fought for.
A Brief History: When Black Progress Triggers White Backlash
There’s a long tradition in this country of white institutions pushing back every time Black folks start gaining ground:
Reconstruction saw a surge in Black political leadership — followed by Jim Crow laws and racial terror.
The civil rights victories of the 1960s were met with “law and order” politics and mass incarceration.
And now, after years of racial reckoning, police protests, and DEI momentum post-George Floyd — we’re seeing a government trying to scrub away even the mention of systemic racism.
Trump’s administration doesn’t want to fix discrimination. They want to flip the script and pretend that acknowledging Black success is somehow “anti-white.”
What’s at Stake for Us?
What’s happening to Brandon Johnson isn’t just a Chicago issue — it’s a signal to every Black mayor, superintendent, or community leader: “Don’t get too Black.”
But here’s the thing: We’re not going backward.
This moment calls for us to double down on local power. We must support our Black leaders especially when they’re unapologetically centering our communities. Because if we don’t defend them, the forces trying to erase us will only get bolder.
Call to Action
Here’s what you can do today:
Follow what’s happening in Chicago. Don’t let this story fade. Share it, talk about it, and support independent Black media keeping eyes on the story.
Get involved locally. Support candidates who fight for real equity — not performative politics. Join a school board meeting, city council session, or organizing campaign.
Push back on misinformation. Conversations like this are where truth gets corrected. Don’t let “reverse racism” lies go unchecked in your circles.
We’ve been here before — and we know how to fight. Let’s stay vigilant.
✊🏾 Stay rooted. Stay righteous.
Do you think the DOJ would’ve launched this investigation if Mayor Johnson had praised a majority-white administration?
Why do Black leaders get scrutinized for reflecting their communities?
Drop your thoughts below. Let’s talk about what real representation looks like—and why it scares the status quo.