WASHINGTON — Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, lambasted Brandon Johnson, the Mayor of Chicago, labeling him as “delusional” for allowing the city to descend into a “war zone” after President Trump deployed the Illinois National Guard.
During an MSNBC interview, Johnson (D) accused the Trump administration of executing an unconstitutional assault on Chicago and dismissed Noem’s claims regarding federal officers being targeted.
In response, Noem remarked, “It’s essential to note that the mayor has an approval rating of less than 6% in Chicago,” as she spoke on “Fox & Friends Weekend.”
“Overwhelmingly, that man is a failure. He has let down his constituents and failed to advocate for the crime victims in his city. We will continue our work every day,” she added.
Polls consistently indicate that Johnson’s approval ratings are low, usually between 6% and 26%, depending on the source.
Noem visited Chicago to meet with federal law enforcement prior to President Trump’s decision to unleash about 300 National Guard troops to support federal agents stationed there.
The troop deployment in Illinois — despite Governor JB Pritzker (D) opposing it — comes after an attack on Border Patrol agents on Chicago’s South Side, where federal officers shot a woman who was later discovered to be armed.
Noem remarked that many Chicago residents were supportive of federal officers, attributing the recent surge in attacks on law enforcement to Johnson’s inflammatory rhetoric.
“Absolutely, he’s providing them cover,” she asserted when asked about the potential link between Johnson’s statements and the threats against officers. “There need to be repercussions for leaders who stand and deliberately misrepresent the circumstances on the ground.”
“This is a war zone. His city is a war zone, and he is lying to allow criminals to wreak havoc on the lives of people. Those who reside there are awakening to this reality,” she continued.
Johnson, who became Chicago’s mayor in 2023 and has repeatedly clashed with Pritzker, fiercely criticized the Trump administration’s crackdown on his city.
“To start, she is utterly clueless,” Johnson told MSNBC last week. “The Trump administration is in a state of complete delusion, and what they are promoting right now constitutes not just unconstitutional measures.
“Their actions are dangerous and reckless. It goes against the very essence of who we are as a nation,” he added. “This administration is trying to relitigate the Civil War, and we will not tolerate it!”
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The Trump administration has been conducting extensive immigration enforcement operations in Chicago for several months, which has faced significant opposition from Johnson and other leading Democrats in the area.
Noem accused Chicago of hindering federal law enforcement, including Border Patrol and ICE officers, from utilizing public restrooms in the city.
The Post reached out to Johnson’s office for a statement.
