CHICAGO — The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a civil rights investigation into hiring decisions within Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration, raising serious questions about whether race-based favoritism is playing a role in the staffing of city government.

The probe was triggered by comments Johnson made during a Sunday appearance at the Apostolic Church of God, where he openly touted the racial makeup of his top staff, repeatedly emphasizing the number of Black appointees in key roles. Within 24 hours, the DOJ sent a formal letter to the mayor’s office, citing concern that these statements may reflect broader discriminatory hiring practices.

“There are some detractors that will try and push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people,’” Johnson said during the event. “No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else.”

The mayor proceeded to list department after department led by Black officials, effectively framing his administration’s diversity not just as a value, but as a qualification in and of itself. Critics say Johnson has now crossed a line from inclusive representation to outright racial bias.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated in the DOJ letter that if race is a defining factor in top-level appointments, the same standard may be impacting decisions at all levels of city employment — a potential violation of federal civil rights laws.

Despite the seriousness of the inquiry, Johnson’s office responded with defiance rather than accountability. “Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the city’s history,” the statement read. “The federal government, unfortunately, does not reflect the values of Chicago.”

Such rhetoric, however, has only deepened criticism of Johnson’s handling of the issue. Alderman Raymond Lopez accused the mayor of “making this about race instead of qualifications,” calling the investigation “validation” of widespread concerns over exclusionary policies under the current administration.

“This isn’t leadership — it’s political theater that puts the entire city at risk,” Lopez said. “And now, thanks to the mayor’s own words, we’re in the federal spotlight for all the wrong reasons.”

Even supporters of Johnson have struggled to frame the situation in a positive light. While some, like Chicago Teachers Union President Stacy Davis Gates, defended the mayor and accused the DOJ of targeting Black leaders, others acknowledged that Johnson’s approach has become a liability.

The city released demographic data attempting to defend its record, noting a racial breakdown of 34.3% Black, 30.5% White, 23.8% Hispanic, and 6.7% Asian across the administration. But the numbers do little to counter the core allegation: that top positions may have been awarded on the basis of identity rather than merit.

With Chicago facing federal scrutiny and mounting local backlash, Johnson now finds himself in a precarious position — not just as the subject of an investigation, but as a mayor whose own words may have compromised the integrity of his office.