Chicago mayor sues DOJ over DEI restrictions on federal grants program
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson announced Wednesday that the city has filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice (DOJ) over what he called “unlawful” and “unlawful” diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) restrictions.
In a press release, Johnson’s office said the lawsuit involves a $6.25 million grant under the DOJ’s Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) hiring program.
The mayor’s office is challenging new conditions imposed under the Trump administration that require cities to certify that grant funds will not be used for programs related to DEI initiatives.
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The U.S. Department of Justice requires cities to certify that they will not fund programs related to DEI initiatives. (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo)
The mayor’s office alleged the conditions were not authorized by Congress and held police funds “hostage to the administration’s political agenda.”
“Chicago will not be bullied into abandoning our values or compromising our security,” Johnson said in a statement.
“Jeopardizing the safety of Chicagoans for political purposes is simply wrong. Community policing is fundamental to building a safer city and maintaining diversity is a vital part of who we are as a city,” he added.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, right, also criticized conditions requiring cities not to resist federal immigration enforcement into the city. (Christopher Dilts/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
Johnson continued: “We will not back down on this commitment and we will fight to ensure we receive every dollar Chicago is entitled to. My administration will continue to hold the Trump administration accountable for its attempts to withhold vital public safety resources from Chicagoans.
Conditions for the grants also require that cities not limit their assistance to enforcing federal civil immigration laws, a topic on which Johnson has frequently attacked President Donald Trump.
Chicago, along with the city of St. Paul, Minnesota, which joined the lawsuit, is asking the court to declare these conditions illegal.
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Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said his city is among dozens of lawsuits filed against the Trump administration. (Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out to the mayor’s office and the DOJ for comment, but did not immediately receive responses.
According to the press release, Johnson has participated in more than 40 lawsuits against the Trump administration.
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Last month, Johnson filed a similar lawsuit against the Trump administration over Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant requirements that also require cities to certify that they do not have “programs that advance or promote DEI, DEIA, or discriminatory equity ideology.”
