Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson didn't conduct formal national search for CTA head despite claiming otherwise, records show

Published in Automotive and Transportation on Saturday, August 9th 2025 at 10:40 GMT by Chicago Tribune
^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

CHICAGO Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration never undertook a formalized national search for a new Chicago Transit Authority president despite the mayor saying last month that his office had in fact done so, according to responses to public records requests made by the Tribune. The CTA has been without a permanent leader since embattled former president Dorval Carter stepped down earlier ...

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's Controversial Remarks on Gun Violence: Blaming Historical Policies and Richard Nixon

In the wake of a devastating wave of gun violence over the Fourth of July weekend in Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson held a press conference that sparked widespread debate and criticism. The city, long plagued by high rates of shootings and homicides, saw an alarming 109 people shot, with 19 fatalities, during the holiday period. This surge in violence prompted Johnson, a progressive Democrat in his first term, to address the media and public, where he pointed to deep-rooted systemic issues rather than immediate law enforcement failures. However, his choice of words, particularly invoking former President Richard Nixon as a symbol of failed policies from decades ago, drew sharp rebukes from conservatives, local critics, and even some within his own party, who accused him of deflecting responsibility from current challenges.

Johnson's comments came during a briefing where he was pressed on the city's ongoing struggle with crime. He emphasized that gun violence is not a new phenomenon but the result of longstanding neglect and policy decisions that have exacerbated poverty, disinvestment, and inequality in Black and Brown communities. "Black death has unfortunately been accepted in this country for a very long time," Johnson stated, highlighting what he sees as a historical tolerance for violence against marginalized groups. He then tied this to events from the 1960s, noting that the nation had an opportunity 60 years ago to address root causes through initiatives like President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty and Great Society programs. Instead, Johnson argued, the country "mocked" those efforts, leading to the election of Richard Nixon in 1968. Nixon's administration, in Johnson's view, represented a pivot away from progressive reforms toward more punitive approaches, including the beginnings of the War on Drugs and policies that deepened urban decay and disenfranchisement.

The mayor's invocation of Nixon, who served as president from 1969 to 1974 and died in 1994, struck many as bizarre and anachronistic. Critics quickly seized on it, portraying Johnson as out of touch with the immediate needs of Chicagoans facing daily threats from gang violence, illegal firearms, and under-resourced neighborhoods. Social media erupted with memes and commentary mocking the idea of blaming a long-deceased president for contemporary shootings. Conservative outlets and figures, such as former Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, lambasted Johnson for what they called "historical revisionism" and a refusal to confront failures in his own administration's policing strategies. Some pointed out the irony: Nixon's era did see the expansion of federal law enforcement and anti-crime measures, including the creation of the Drug Enforcement Administration, which many progressives like Johnson criticize as contributing to mass incarceration.

Yet, Johnson's defenders argue that his remarks were not a literal accusation against Nixon but a broader critique of systemic racism and economic policies that have persisted across administrations. As a former teacher and organizer with the Chicago Teachers Union, Johnson has built his political career on advocating for social justice, education funding, and alternatives to traditional policing. He campaigned on promises to address root causes of crime through investments in mental health, housing, and youth programs, rather than solely relying on increased police presence. In the press conference, he reiterated this stance, calling for federal action on gun control and criticizing the easy access to firearms. "We are the only country where there are more guns than people," he said, urging a national conversation on assault weapons bans and background checks.

The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of Chicago's persistent violence epidemic. The city has recorded over 300 homicides so far this year, a slight decrease from previous years but still alarmingly high compared to other major U.S. cities. Johnson's predecessor, Lori Lightfoot, faced similar criticisms during her term, with crime rates spiking amid the COVID-19 pandemic and social unrest following the George Floyd protests. Johnson, who defeated more moderate candidates in the 2023 mayoral race, has implemented some reforms, such as expanding community violence intervention programs and pushing for more affordable housing. However, his administration has also grappled with budget shortfalls, a migrant crisis straining resources, and tensions with the police union over accountability measures.

Reactions to Johnson's Nixon reference extended beyond politics into public discourse. Local residents, particularly in high-crime areas like the South and West Sides, expressed frustration that historical blame-shifting does little to provide immediate safety. Community activists, while supportive of addressing systemic issues, called for more concrete actions, such as bolstering after-school programs and job training to prevent youth involvement in gangs. On the national stage, the incident fueled discussions about progressive governance in urban centers, with some commentators drawing parallels to other left-leaning mayors like Eric Adams in New York or Karen Bass in Los Angeles, who have balanced reformist ideals with pragmatic crime-fighting tactics.

Johnson did not back down from his statements in subsequent appearances, doubling down on the need for a "holistic" approach to public safety. He announced additional funding for violence interrupters—community members trained to mediate conflicts before they escalate—and pledged to work with state and federal partners on gun trafficking prevention. Critics, however, argue that such measures are insufficient without stronger enforcement, pointing to data showing that many shootings involve repeat offenders or illegal guns smuggled from neighboring states with laxer laws.

This episode highlights the challenges facing progressive leaders in crime-ridden cities: how to reconcile long-term social justice goals with the urgent demand for security. Johnson's tenure, now over a year in, has been marked by bold initiatives, including a push to eliminate tipped minimum wages and expand paid leave, but crime remains a flashpoint that could define his legacy. As Chicago heads into the summer months, traditionally a peak period for violence, the mayor's ability to translate his rhetoric into tangible reductions in shootings will be closely watched. Whether his historical framing resonates or alienates voters could influence not only his reelection prospects but also the broader debate on urban policy in America.

In essence, Johnson's press conference was less about absolving current leadership and more about contextualizing Chicago's woes within a narrative of national failures. By invoking Nixon, he aimed to underscore how past decisions continue to reverberate, but the delivery risked overshadowing the message. As the city mourns its losses, the focus shifts to whether such perspectives can drive meaningful change or if they merely serve as fodder for political division. (Word count: 928)

Read the Full Chicago Tribune Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-didn-163000776.html ]

N※N

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson didn't conduct formal national search for CTA head despite claiming otherwise, records show

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's Controversial Remarks on Gun Violence: Blaming Historical Policies and Richard Nixon