CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) -- Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson is expressing some reservations about a new bid for the city to host the Democratic National Convention in 2028 and 2032.
Numerous reports say the Chicago Host Committee, which secured the DNC in 2024, has formally bid for the next two Democratic nominating conventions. The effort is reportedly being led by Governor J.B. Pritzker, who is widely believed to be weighing a potential run for President, though the city is involved in the bid as well.
"I'm incredibly proud of how the city of Chicago responded to the 2024 Democratic National Convention," the mayor told reporters Tuesday during an appearance on the fifth floor of City Hall. "It will go down as arguably one of the most dynamic and significant moments in America's political history."
Instead, he said his concern is rooted in the potential involvement of federal law enforcement during the 2028 event, given the Trump Administration's public criticism of Chicago and Illinois.
"The Democratic National Convention would take place at a time when the Trump Administration would still be in charge," the mayor said. "What we've seen in cities across America and more recently in Minneapolis, that to turn over the security of our city to the Trump Administration ... it's not just me, but a number of us have profound concerns about that."
The 2028 DNC would happen a little more than a year after Chicago's next mayoral election in 2027. Reporters asked whether he expected to be the mayor if and when the Democrats return to the city, but Johnson continued his recent practice of not directly answering whether he intends to run for re-election. "I'm focused on ensuring in the moment that we're in ... that we're showing up for people today."