White House Rebukes Chicago Mayor Over Reparations Remarks

The White House on Wednesday criticized Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's recent remarks linking former President Donald Trump to the neglect of reparations for descendants of enslaved people while favoring the wealthy.

Johnson, speaking on the "Native Land Pod" podcast, argued that public safety requires more than just policing and highlighted city investments in mental healthcare, community violence intervention, and other social programs. He suggested that Trump's administration prioritized wealth transfer to the rich at the expense of addressing historical injustices faced by descendants of the formerly enslaved.

This exchange followed a Truth Social post from Trump on October 6, which stated that Chicago was experiencing a severe crime wave and that federal intervention was contingent on the mayor or governor requesting assistance. Trump questioned the inaction of Illinois leadership, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.

In response to Johnson's claims, a White House spokesperson told Fox News Digital, "Government programs that dole out money based on race are illegal. Chicago would be better served if Mayor Johnson focused more on lowering his city’s homicide rate instead of advocating for divisive, unconstitutional government action."

The mayor's office reported significant drops in violent crime in Chicago since Johnson took office in May 2023, including double-digit decreases in homicides and shootings. A spokesperson stated that as of October 2, 2026, homicides were down 3.8%, shootings down 1.3%, and robberies down 20.9% compared to the same period the previous year.

While Johnson did not use the term "reparations" in the podcast, his office pointed to city initiatives such as the establishment of a 40-member reparations task force and the "Repair Chicago" public engagement initiative aimed at informing policy through the experiences of Black residents. These efforts follow similar programs, such as one in nearby Evanston, Illinois, which offers grants to eligible Black residents or their descendants for housing.

However, federal scrutiny of race-based programs has increased. The Department of Justice under the Trump administration has indicated its intent to challenge such models, with Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon characterizing them as "virtue signaling" for votes. The DOJ has also signaled investigations into potential civil rights violations in other localities considering reparations.

White House Spokeswoman Allison Schuster reiterated the administration's commitment to ending race-based initiatives, stating that "President Trump was resoundingly elected with a mandate to end divisive, racist policies and restore merit and efficiency." She added that the Trump Administration "will always promote equal treatment under the law for every American, regardless of race or ethnicity."