On May 23, 2025, Black pastors gathered at Historic Quinn Chapel in Chicago to show solidarity with Mayor Brandon Johnson amid a Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation into the city’s hiring practices. The investigation was initiated following the mayor’s public statements about prioritizing Black hires, which the DOJ interpreted as potentially violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, prohibiting race-based discrimination.
The clergy denounced the probe, arguing that the mayor’s hiring practices are inclusive and representative of Chicago’s diverse population. Pastors like Walter Turner and Torrey Barrett emphasized that the practices are not discriminatory but a step toward democracy, criticizing the investigation as harassment.
Mayor Johnson has defended his administration, noting 36% Black, 32% White, and 25% Hispanic staff, and called the probe a “divisive tactic” by the Trump administration, comparing it to a “country club” for lacking diversity.
However, there are criticisms, with City Council Dean Walter Burnett warning the mayor to be cautious and acknowledging detractors who feel he focuses too much on Black hiring. The DOJ and EEOC investigations highlight legal concerns, making this a debated topic.
Comprehensive Report on Black Clergy Denouncing Trump DOJ Probe into Chicago’s Hiring Practices and Support for Mayor Brandon Johnson
On May 23, 2025, at 03:40 AM PDT, Black clergy in Chicago gathered to denounce the Trump Department of Justice’s (DOJ) probe into the city’s hiring practices, showing strong support for Mayor Brandon Johnson. This event at Historic Quinn Chapel reflects a significant moment in the ongoing debate over diversity, hiring practices, and legal scrutiny in Chicago’s governance. This report provides a detailed examination of the event, the DOJ investigation, the clergy’s stance, the mayor’s position, and the surrounding controversies, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the issue.
The May 23, 2025, gathering involved Black pastors coming together to defend Mayor Brandon Johnson amid a DOJ investigation into Chicago’s hiring practices. The investigation was triggered by the mayor’s public comments during a church speech on May 18, 2025, where he boasted about the number of Black people holding top city jobs. Under the Trump administration, the DOJ opened a civil rights investigation on May 19, 2025, citing potential violations of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits race-based discrimination in employment. The probe examines whether there is a pattern or practice of discrimination in hiring for top-level and potentially lower-level positions.
The clergy’s denouncement was widely covered, with ABC7 Chicago: Chicago Black pastors gather in solidarity with Mayor Brandon Johnson, providing detailed insights. The event was seen as a mobilization effort to support the mayor and Black leaders, with the mayor’s political director attending, though Johnson was not present.
Clergy’s Stance and Statements
The Black clergy’s support was emphatic, with several pastors articulating their position. Pastor Walter Turner stated, “We have all of this lined up; we have all of this already prepared,” suggesting the hiring practices were well-planned and not discriminatory. Pastor Torrey Barrett declared, “We stand today as a collective group of faith leaders to say, ‘enough is enough.’ The harassment has to stop,” framing the DOJ probe as an unwarranted attack. Pastor Stephan Thurston described the hiring as “the arithmetic of democracy, finally functioning,” implying fairness and representation. Pastor Michael Eaddy noted, “This appears more to represent the country, not a country club,” contrasting the administration’s diversity with perceived exclusivity in the Trump administration. Pastor Turner reiterated, “This is not about Black Chicago; this is about Chicago being inclusive,” emphasizing the broader goal of inclusivity.
The mayor’s office provided statistics on staff diversity, revealing that the administration is composed of 36% Black, 32% White, and 25% Hispanic employees, underscoring their commitment to reflecting Chicago’s demographics.
The DOJ’s investigation, announced on May 19, 2025, was conducted by the Civil Rights Division, with a letter signed by Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon shared via an X post. Johnson’s comments triggered the probe to examine potential Title VII violations, focusing on whether hiring practices discriminate based on race. The Civil Rights Division, realigned under the Trump administration, has taken a broader view of civil rights issues, traditionally investigating discrimination against minorities and addressing perceived reverse discrimination.
Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) opened a separate investigation into Johnson’s statements, as confirmed by an EEOC spokesman, further escalating the scrutiny. Associated Press: Justice Department probes Chicago’s hiring after mayor’s comments on diversity reported on the investigation’s scope, noting it follows a congressional hearing on March 5, 2025, and previous comments by Johnson’s predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, on race in hiring.
Mayor Johnson’s Position and Response
Mayor Johnson, who took office in 2023, has remained defiant despite the investigations. He doubled down on his commitment to a diverse workforce, stating during a Woodlawn appearance, “There are some detractors that will push back on me and say, you know, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people,’” acknowledging the criticism but standing firm. He called the DOJ probe a “divisive tactic” and criticized the Trump administration’s qualifications, suggesting it reflects a “country club” rather than the country’s diversity. Chicago Sun-Times: With DOJ probing city’s hiring practices, Mayor Johnson says the Trump administration reflects a ‘country club’, detailing his response and noting his defiance a day after his remarks gave rise to the investigation.
Despite the clergy’s support, significant criticisms and controversies surround the mayor’s hiring practices. City Council Dean Walter Burnett warned Johnson to “be careful what he’s saying,” indicating internal concerns that the mayor’s statements could attract unwanted scrutiny. This warning was reported in the same Chicago Sun-Times article, highlighting tensions within the city government. The mayor’s acknowledgment of detractors further underscores the debate, with some viewing his focus on Black hiring as potentially discriminatory.
The DOJ and EEOC investigations suggest legal concerns about race-based hiring, with NPR: Chicago Mayor calls DOJ probe the Trump administration’s ‘latest diversity attack’, noting Johnson’s framing of the probe as an attack on diversity efforts. Political analyst Laura Washington, cited in the ABC7 Chicago coverage, suggested that the clergy’s gathering is a strategy to shore up the African American voter base—still, risks of appearing to take racial sides, potentially not supporting the entire city.
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