Alright, let’s dive into the latest episode of “Progressive Policies Gone Wild,” shall we? It’s always a bit rich, isn’t it, when the very people who drape themselves in the vibrant, multi-hued cloak of “diversity and inclusion” get caught with their hand suspiciously deep in the monochromatic cookie jar of actual discrimination. They craft entire lexicons around equity, pen heartfelt op-eds about giving everyone a fair shake, and then, well, sometimes their actions tell a rather different, and far more ahem, selective story.

One has to wonder if there’s a special thesaurus in certain political circles where “equality” means “more for my preferred groups” and “justice” translates to “payback time.” It’s a curious phenomenon, watching self-proclaimed champions of fairness suddenly twist themselves into pretzels to justify behavior that would have them screaming from the rooftops if the shoe were on the other foot. But as the old saying goes, hypocrisy is the compliment vice pays to virtue, and boy, are we seeing some compliments flying around these days.

Speaking of which, let’s turn our gaze to the “Second City,” Chicago, where Mayor Brandon Johnson seems to be auditioning for a masterclass in exactly this kind of double-speak. The U.S. Department of Justice, now under the watchful eye of President Trump’s administration, has decided to take a closer look at the mayor’s hiring practices. And why, you ask? Because it appears the good mayor might have been using a rather unconventional, and potentially illegal, criterion for staffing his office: race.

The Post Millennial first brought the heat, reporting that Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, Harmeet Dhillon, fired off a letter to Johnson. The DOJ’s concern? “Our investigation is based on information suggesting that you have made hiring decisions solely on the basis of race.” This probe is looking into potential violations of none other than Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 – an act, ironically, designed to prevent such shenanigans.

He Said What?! The Mayor Spills the (Racial) Beans

It seems Mayor Johnson, in a moment of what can only be described as breathtaking candor, decided to publicly outline his racially-motivated hiring strategy. During remarks at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn on Sunday, May 18, 2025, he proudly listed Black officials in his administration, explaining, according to The Post Millennial, that he was “laying” these positions “out” to “ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business.” Our people? Interesting choice of words, Mayor.

CBS News Chicago provided even more Technicolor detail on Johnson’s enlightening sermon on employment from that same day:

From ‘CBS News’, reporting on Mayor Johnson’s remarks:

“The deputy mayor is a Black woman. The Department of Planning and Development is a Black woman. Infrastructure deputy mayor is a Black woman. Chief operations officer is a Black man. Budget director is a Black woman. Senior advisor is a Black man. And I’m laying that out because when you ask, how do we ensure that our people get a chance to grow their business? Having people in my administration that will look out for the interest of everyone — and everyone means you have to look out for the interest of Black folks, because that hasn’t happened.”

“Everyone means you have to look out for the interest of Black folks…” Well, that certainly clarifies his definition of “everyone.” It’s this kind of statement that makes you wonder if they’re even trying to hide the ball anymore. This isn’t a dog whistle; it’s a full-blown bullhorn announcement of race-based preference, broadcast from a church, no less.

So Much for a Colorblind Society

This, Americans, is a textbook example of how Democrats often wield race as a tool, and in this case, potentially against other citizens who don’t fit the preferred demographic. The Civil Rights Act was a monumental step towards ensuring that Americans would be judged on their merit and character, not the color of their skin. But here we have a mayor in a major American city seemingly turning that principle on its head, openly admitting to using race as a primary qualifier for public service positions. It’s a cynical distortion of what “civil rights” are supposed to mean.

It’s no small detail that this investigation is being spearheaded by Assistant AG Harmeet Dhillon, under Attorney General Pam Bondi. The Trump administration’s DOJ isn’t mincing words, suggesting that if such racial calculus is applied to top-level jobs, “it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions.” Precisely. This isn’t just about a few high-profile appointments; it’s about a governing philosophy that reeks of reverse discrimination.

The “It’s Not What It Looks Like” Defense (Spoiler: It Is)

Naturally, the predictable defenses are being trotted out. CBS News Chicago consulted Carolyn Shapiro from the Chicago-Kent College of Law, who noted that political appointments like Johnson’s senior staff might have exceptions under Title VII. That’s a neat little legalistic loophole, but it utterly misses the point. The DOJ is investigating a “pattern or practice,” and the mayor’s own words betray a mindset that clearly prioritizes race. If that’s the guiding philosophy from the top, it’s naive to think it doesn’t seep down.

And then there’s the classic blame-shift from Mayor Johnson’s team. Their official statement, released late Monday, May 19, 2025? “Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the history of our city… Unfortunately, the current federal administration does not reflect either.” Ah, yes, when caught with your hand in the racial preference jar, just blame the feds for noticing! They even trotted out diversity stats for the mayor’s 105-employee staff (34% Black, 30% White, etc.), as if a spreadsheet absolves one of openly stating discriminatory intent. It’s a deflection as transparent as it is tiresome.

This isn’t about celebrating diversity; it’s about potential discrimination, plain and simple. When public officials openly declare they are prioritizing one race over others for jobs paid for by all taxpayers, it’s a betrayal of the public trust and a mockery of equal opportunity.

It’s a stark reminder that the fight for a truly colorblind society, where merit and character are the sole determinants of success, is far from over. And sometimes, the biggest obstacles are those who claim to be its greatest champions.

Key Takeaways:

• Trump’s DOJ probes Chicago Mayor for alleged race-based hiring.
• Mayor Johnson’s own racial preference remarks triggered the federal investigation.
• Team Johnson deflects, blaming Trump’s DOJ for discrimination inquiry.

Sources: The Post Millennial, Source