Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson called a press conference earlier today to announce the newly appointed members of the Chicago School Board. Johnson had to appoint these interim members because just last week, the entire Chicago School Board resigned.
Today’s bizarre press conference was just another episode in the chaotic and feckless tenure of Johnson’s administration. Here are some of the highlights from today:
A reporter asked for the new board members about their support for Johnson’s plans to take out a high interest loan to cover the cost of demands of the Chicago Teachers Union. Johnson refused to let the board members answer.
WATCH: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson refuses to let reporters ask his slate of new school board members whether they support a $300M high-interest payday loan to fund the contract demands of Johnson’s top campaign donor, the Chicago Teachers Union. https://t.co/aICCPkvvxq pic.twitter.com/BUWFyQ3Rfu
— Austin Berg (@Austin__Berg) October 7, 2024
Johnson was asked about his plans to take a trip to London amidst the ongoing school crisis in Chicago. The mayor’s trip happens to coincide with a Chicago Bears game being played in London on Sunday.
WATCH: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson flips out at a reporter who asks whether it’s a good idea for him to travel to London for a Bears game this week. And whether he is currently on leave from his former employer and largest campaign donor, the Chicago Teachers Union. https://t.co/aICCPkvvxq pic.twitter.com/UeKsxwMhkU
— Austin Berg (@Austin__Berg) October 7, 2024
Protestors interrupted Johnson’s prepared remarks by chanting that the new board members were “not legit”. In response, the mayor chose to invoke race.
Mayor Brandon Johnson reacts to protesters during a news conference on his Board of Education overhaul:
— Jake Sheridan (@JakeSheridan_) October 7, 2024
"The most legitimate existence of anyone in this country is the legitimate existence of a Black man," he says as protesters shout 'not legit' about new board he is installing. pic.twitter.com/VoI7ffkIok
Johnson took shots as critics of his strategy to take on high interest debt to finance the demands of CTU. Apparently, fiscal discipline is the same things as … slavery?
NEW: Chicago's mayor Brandon Johnson says being fiscally responsible is the same as supporting slavery. The most disingenuous straw man argument ever. https://t.co/dknJDWNNOj pic.twitter.com/RSeHTOuJPo
— Jeff Orr (@JeffO773) October 7, 2024