Chicago Mayor Under Fire Over Admission of Racist Hiring Practices [WATCH]

Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing criticism following public remarks in which he appeared to defend hiring decisions based on race, describing Black people as “Earth’s most generous race.”

The comments were made during a recent appearance at the Apostolic Church of God and have sparked a growing debate about racial bias in hiring practices within city government.

Johnson, a Democrat elected in 2023, addressed concerns that he prioritizes hiring Black staffers, a claim that has circulated among critics of his administration.

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During his speech to the congregation, the mayor responded directly to those accusations.

“Some detractors that will push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people.’ No, what I’m saying is when you hire our people we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet,” Johnson said.

“I don’t know too many cultures that have play cousins, that’s how generous we are. We just make somebody a family member, right? That’s just how we are.”

Mayor Brandon Johnson: “The reason I hire so many blacks to run Chicago is because we’re planet earth’s most generous race” pic.twitter.com/b2qEzWOR5x

— End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) May 18, 2025

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The mayor went on to highlight several members of his administration, noting that key leadership roles are held by Black individuals.

These positions include the Deputy Mayor of Business and Economic Neighborhood Development, the Deputy Mayor of Infrastructure, the Chief of Operations, and his Senior Advisor.

Johnson said he gave these individuals an opportunity, and that part of his reasoning was to ensure representation.

The comments have triggered a backlash online and in political circles, with critics arguing that hiring decisions in public office should be based on merit, experience, and qualifications—not race.

Opponents of Johnson’s approach argue that elevating individuals based on race rather than credentials sends a concerning message about the priorities of city leadership.

They also raised questions about whether such practices violate equal employment opportunity standards or foster exclusionary practices based on identity.

While the mayor did not state explicitly that race was the only consideration in his appointments, the implication that racial identity was a significant factor has prompted calls for clarification.

As of Tuesday morning, the mayor’s office has not issued any formal statement addressing the backlash.

The controversy comes as the city of Chicago faces a number of high-stakes challenges, including rising crime, budget pressures, and tensions over immigration policy and public school funding.

Johnson has defended his administration’s actions as focused on equity and community investment, but his latest comments have reignited scrutiny over how those values are being implemented.

Civil rights attorneys and legal experts have noted that public officials must tread carefully when discussing race and hiring.

Although efforts to diversify leadership teams are not uncommon, explicit statements about making employment decisions based on race can carry legal and ethical implications.

Mayor Johnson, who previously served as a Cook County commissioner and was backed by major public-sector unions during his campaign, has often framed his administration as committed to addressing racial inequality.

However, his approach is now under renewed scrutiny as critics question whether equity initiatives are being pursued at the expense of merit-based hiring.

As the mayor faces questions about the city’s leadership structure and hiring practices, it remains to be seen whether his office will respond directly to the controversy or issue new guidelines to address concerns over race and representation in city government.

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