Chicago’s Bear of Little Brains has been talking some huge smack, almost as if the vacuum between his ears was beginning to expand southward to his mouth. Brandon Johnson’s verbal and administrative war against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the other federal agencies operating in conjunction with the immigration enforcement raids across the country ratchets up almost every time you turn around.
His executive order the other day established ‘ICE-Free ZONES’ across the city. Basically, by virtue of his waving a magic mayorial executive order wand over city property, or allowing any business to declare itself one as well, Johnson says he has put parts of the city off-limits to federal officers, and they’d better take note.
OR ELSE
Why doesn’t he sign an EO declaring Chicago debt free?
— jimgricus (@jgricus24) October 6, 2025
As you can see, the most serious of pronouncements was treated with all the respect it deserved.
…The free signage will clearly state that no law enforcement official may enter for civil immigration enforcement and that the property may not be used as a staging area, processing location or operations base, according to the Mayor’s Office.
Businesses, nonprofits, churches and faith-based institutions, and other private entities are eligible for the program.
“Our school parking lots are not for ICE to load their weapons. They are for Chicagoans who drop their kids off to learn. Our libraries are not for ICE to prepare for a raid. They’re for Chicagoans to read and relax. Our parks are not for ICE to set up checkpoints. They are for Chicagoans to play and enjoy,” Johnson said at a Monday morning press conference announcing the order.
Part of the impetus for this bold action was this Sunday’s Chicago Marathon, and the mayor worried that ICE would either be arresting a goodly number of the reported 3000 Mexican nationals he expects in for the race.
Or, even worse, they wouldn’t come at all and not spend any money locally.
I kid you not.
Chicago mayor says 3,000 Mexicans headed to city for marathon
“I want all of them to come.” pic.twitter.com/AiSr8cCyzK
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) October 7, 2025
I can only suppose it never occurred to the genius to wonder how they were getting into the country now if they weren’t legally able to do so.
The running community is doing its part to feed the fright frenzy.
imagine having the opportunity to participate in one of the world’s greatest events but you have to cower in fear the entire time you do it.
that’s the reality for some runners heading to the chicago marathon this week.
people flying in legally from other countries, on valid… pic.twitter.com/2WTThg5S9l
— Z (ben brown truther) (@nazdaiquiri) October 6, 2025
WE CAN’T HAVE OUR PASSPORTS WITH US RUNNING
It makes for a great pathos-filled appeal.
In any event, the warm-up marches for Sunday’s marathon started last night. The chanting Palestinian flag-wavers seem to be morphing into ‘anti-ICE protesters’ – isn’t that the weirdest thing?
I thought these people were dedicated and serious, one-issue terrorist sympathizers.
Fooled me again, dang it.
Here are some sights and sounds from last night’s anti-Trump, anti-ICE protest in Chicago. Bail fund drives are already flooding social media — despite no arrests — signaling the tone for what’s ahead. Palestinian organizing now appears to be taking a backseat as protests pivot… pic.twitter.com/84AKPKsS37
— Stu Smith (@thestustustudio) October 9, 2025
…Palestinian organizing now appears to be taking a backseat as protests pivot toward Trump and immigration enforcement.
It’s also a textbook case of how the far left rebrands overnight. The so-called “Coalition Against the Trump Agenda,” boasting 80+ member groups, is in practice led by the Freedom Road Socialist Organization and the Chicago Alliance Against Racist and Political Repression — the same abolitionist network behind years of “community defense” and anti-police agitation.
FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA…UNTIL SOMETHING ELSE COMES UP
Over a thousand out tonight protesting against ICE and deployment of the National Guard to Chicago pic.twitter.com/P93KzqSGSk
— Brendan Gutenschwager (@BGOnTheScene) October 9, 2025
Someone did finally think to ask Hizzonor how he planned to enforce his anti-ICE EO.
MAYOR MAGIC
…When asked how the city will enforce the new order, Johnson said the city will take legal action against federal officers who violate the order. However, it doesn’t explicitly authorize Chicago police to arrest federal officers.
“If the federal government violates this Executive Order, we will take them to court,” Johnson said.
The mayor also suggested his administration plans to take more “dramatic action if this administration continues to escalate,” specifically in the form of another executive order possibly coming this week, Johnson said. He did not provide details.
“If Congress will not check this administration, then Chicago will,” Johnson said.
Lucky thing the EO doesn’t ‘explicitly’ order Chicago PD to try cuffing ICE agents.
Larry Snelling, God bless him, Chicago Police Superintendent, said that wasn’t going to happen. Like a cold splash of water on all the big talk during a press conference defending his officers as far as the accusations of not supporting ICE at the Broadview facility.
🇺🇸 Chicago Police Chief Superintendent Larry Snelling breaks ranks with Illinois governor, Jay Robert Pritzker and Chicago mayor, Brandon Johnson stating that he and his men will not arrest or impede federal agents operating inside the city’s administrative territory. pic.twitter.com/UzlJMGeVQF
— Vitamvivere_1 (@Vitamvivere_1) October 7, 2025
‘…Another one. CPD will not arrest. We CANNOT arrest federal agents because someone deems what they’re doing is illegal or unlawful. Their rules of engagement are different from CPD and other local law enforcement agencies. We need to be clear about this…’
That man surely seems to have his act together and is quite possibly the only one in the state at the moment who does.
I, for one, cannot imagine the pressure he’s under, and bless his heart for standing tall in middle of that maelstrom.
…While Chicago police can communicate with federal agents about crowd control, the Illinois TRUST Act does not allow officers to collaborate with them for immigration enforcement.
But, Snelling says, when people need help, police will respond.
“When a crime is being committed, CPD is going to show up. And it doesn’t matter if there are ICE agents there. We have a duty to investigate and protect our city,” he said.
Snelling also wanted to remind people that federal agents are law enforcement officers: Following them or boxing them in could result in deadly force.
“You may not like what they’re doing. I can understand that there’s a lot of emotions out there, but that does not mean that you get to commit a crime,” he said.
Snelling says his officers have been used as political pawns from people on both sides of the issue. He admits it’s a tough balancing act for officers on the street.
“One thing about law enforcement, I’ll tell you this right now: You’re damned if you do, and you’re damned if you don’t. We accept that,” he said.
I wouldn’t be a blue city cop for all the tea in China. Then again – I wouldn’t be a cop to begin with. Takes a really special kind of person, and that’s not me.
I am delighted Snelling spelled it out, and prayers up for a safe marathon Sunday. It’s going to be a logistical and security nightmare, no doubt.
Add to those worries, the Broadview ICE facility has suddenly become a vulnerable sitting duck.
A federal judge has just made protecting those ICE agents even more perilous, as he ruled the chainlink fence surrounding the facility and the agents inside has to come down.
OMG
A federal judge approved a request to remove the fence put up by ICE agents outside the Broadview, Illinois ICE facility.
Broadview officials had sued, saying the fence — put up on Sept. 23 outside the ICE facility on Beach Street — blocked a public road and could impact first responders at the scene.
Broadview Mayor Katrina Thompson said the judge’s ruling is “validation of local law and, most importantly, a decisive win for public safety.”
Last month, hours after the fencing went up at the facility, a letter went out from the Broadview Fire Department to Homeland Security saying, in part, it was “built, without a permit, a fence on a public street under the jurisdiction of the village of Broadview … currently blocking Broadview Fire Department access to that road.”
I just…wow.
I hope to God Snelling meant what he said about helping out officers in need.
If we thought our job in pushing back against the Academia/media/Democrat censorship complex was over with the election, think again. This is going to be a long fight. Ed, David, John, and I are here for it.
COME AT US, BROS!
Want to join the conversation in the comments — and support independent platforms? We would love to invite you to join our VIP Membership program. Choose VIP to support Hot Air and access our premium content, VIP Gold to extend your access to all Townhall Media platforms and participate in this show, or VIP Platinum to get access to even more content and discounts on merchandise. Use promo code POTUS47 to get 74% off your VIP membership!
Read the full article here