(Mark Pellin, Headline USA) Newly-installed Chicago Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson wasted no time setting the tone for his administration with an inflammatory inauguration speech that sparked further concerns about skyrocketing crime, the city’s horrific public school failures and an increased focus on divisiveness driven by race-baiting, partisan politics.
Johnson, a far-leftist union organizer and former school teacher, opened his inauguration celebration with a performance of the so-called black national anthem, Lift Every Voice and Sing, along with a rendition of The Star Spangled Banner and an ancient African tribal dance from the the Mantu Dance Theatre.
Backlash was fast and furious for Johnson, who promised to heal the racial divides of Chicago but launched his administration with an inauguration that focused heavily on further dividing Chicago.
Did we just hear Chicago's poet laureate utter: "nightsticks to dodge?"
— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) May 15, 2023
Just minutes ago Brandon Johnson was sworn in as Chicago's 57th Mayor. Part of the inaugural festivities included a rendition of the Black National Anthem, a hug for former Mayor Lightfoot from Johnson, a demand by Rev. Otis Moss that the city not be divided by ethnicity or… pic.twitter.com/X7kHr8M6bA
— Reporter William J. Kelly #thatreporter (@Williamjkelly) May 15, 2023
The backlash continued when Johnson, who has consistently backed defunding police, claimed he was serious about restoring law and order in Chicago, mainly through increased funding for mental health care, violence prevention programs and police accountability.
We doubt the CTU will be as smug and sanguine in two years when Chicago suffers higher homicides and the policy prescriptions @ChicagosMayor advances only exacerbate the problems they were intended to solve.
The CTU will be nowhere to be found then.https://t.co/6e8ad90ag6
— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) May 16, 2023
“A safe Chicago means a safe Chicago for all, no matter what you look like, who you love, or where you live,” Johnson said, while at the same time insulting the city’s police officers.
Who would want to put on their vest & duty belt, kiss their family goodbye, & risk their lives dealing with Chicago's worst, when the new mayor (& your boss), Brandon Johnson, equates the killing of a fellow Chicago Police Officer to that of a thug? #twill https://t.co/DiJszcntAc
— Morning Answer (@MorningAnswer) May 15, 2023
The new mayor, who pulled an upset win over his predecessor, Democrat LGBT activist Lori Lightfoot, and former Chicago schools CEO Paul Vallas, relied heavily on union support to bolster his campaign, raking in nearly $6 million in donations from teachers unions.
He vowed to produce a return for the investment by promising to fix the city’s beleaguered public school system by funneling more money into its coffers.
Johnson said he planned to redistribute the wealth with increased taxes on businesses and entrepreneurs, both of which are already fleeing the city at alarming rates. One of his schemes, taxing financial transactions, was so far leftist that even Illinois Democrat Gov. J.B. Pritzker refused to back the proposal, which would require approval from state lawmakers.
After listening to Mayor Brandon Johnson's inaugural address, we are convinced in four years Chicago will be a post-industrial wasteland.
God help Chicago.
— Chicago Contrarian (@ChicagoContrar1) May 15, 2023
