Chicago mayor: Right wing ‘wants a rematch of the Civil War’

CHICAGO (WTVO) — In a fiery press conference this week, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson escalated his criticism of the federal government’s immigration enforcement tactics, declaring that “the right wing in this country wants a rematch of the Civil War.”

Johnson’s comments came in response to President Donald Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops to Chicago and other cities amid growing tensions over immigration enforcement. The mayor accused the administration of targeting urban communities and undermining constitutional protections.

“I want that to sit in right now,” Johnson said on Oct. 6. “Because the President of the United States of America has declared war on the people of Chicago and people across America.”

Johnson’s remarks were part of a broader announcement establishing “ICE-free zones” across Chicago, where city property and participating private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for federal immigration raids. The executive order mandates signage and legal protocols to prevent federal agents from using city facilities for enforcement actions.

The mayor also claimed that volunteers across Chicago are risking their lives to protect families from being separated, stating that some are “putting themselves at risk of being shot and killed by the federal government.”

Johnson’s rhetoric has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters view his stance as a bold defense of civil liberties and immigrant rights, while critics argue that his language could inflame tensions and undermine cooperation between local and federal authorities.

The mayor’s comments reflect a growing divide between Chicago’s leadership and federal immigration policy, with Johnson positioning the city as a bulwark against what he describes as authoritarian overreach.