Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson [WATCH]

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson sharply criticized President Donald Trump and federal immigration enforcement efforts during a press conference this week, calling the ongoing ICE raids “terrorism” and comparing the current state of the nation to a scenario where the Confederacy had won the Civil War, as reported by Fox News.

“There should be no question to what our country would look like had the Confederacy won—we’re seeing it on full display,” Johnson said Thursday, referring to the latest ICE operations ordered under the Trump administration.

Johnson added that “there is a tyrant in the White House” and described the United States under President Trump as resembling the Confederate States of America more than the U.S.A.

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Johnson also called on House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to “speak up” and condemn the immigration enforcement actions. “There’s one branch of government right now in this country… the Congress says nothing,” Johnson said. “So people are terrified.”

He continued, “This is literally just using the power of the federal apparatus to insert its will… There’s no check and balance. It doesn’t exist right now.”

Johnson criticized Speaker Johnson for what he sees as inaction: “If something were to happen to the president, [he] won’t even raise his voice as a believer in faith and justice. These individuals are cowards.”

The press conference grew tense when a reporter challenged the mayor on his prior call for residents to “rise up” against ICE.

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The reporter asked whether the statement could be interpreted as a call to violence, particularly given the ongoing unrest in Los Angeles involving property damage, looting, and attacks on law enforcement.

“I believe in nonviolence,” Johnson responded.

The same reporter pressed Johnson further, asking why Chicago residents should trust him to manage public funds when millions of dollars have been spent on services for illegal immigrants.

“The real Chicagoans are now facing tax increases because you’ve spent millions of their tax dollars on migrants… Why would you think that real Chicagoans should trust you to spend their money after you’ve already wasted millions of it on illegal aliens?” the reporter asked.

“We are investing in people,” Johnson replied, before moving on to another question.

Chicago’s Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson compares lawful ICE operations to if the Confederacy won the Civil War.

This is what “terrorism looks like.”pic.twitter.com/AisCwGDdGs

— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) June 12, 2025

The exchange comes as Johnson’s approval rating in Chicago continues to fall. A February poll from FOX-32 showed the mayor’s approval dipping below 20%, with some local outlets reporting the number may be approaching single digits.

Chicago has not had a Republican mayor since William Thompson left office in 1931.

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