CHICAGO CITY HALL (WBBM Newsradio) - Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson says he's received no communication about the presence of U-S Border Patrol teams in the Chicago River downtown, but says it's part of a continued pattern by the White House.
Border Patrol chief Michael Banks has shared the images on social media of a brace of Customs and Border Protection boats moving past the Trump International Hotel on the Chicago River.
"Do not know what they're up to," Mayor Johnson told reporters after the Chicago City Council meeting wrapped up last night. "The federal government is not communicating with me or our police department -- and this is the problem that we have expressed."
He said it's part of what he calls a pattern of behavior from the White House: "This administration is only committed to intimidating people and working to strike fear into the hearts and into the minds of the people in this city."
Later, he reminded reporters that the Justice Department is investigating his administration for its hiring of Black people, and the White House is withholding funds from Chicago Public Schools over its education plan for Black and transgender kids.
"I really want to call him a name," said the mayor, appearing to grow frustrated, "but my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is asking me to just ... stay saved."
The mayor said Chicago will stay committed to what he called the city's values.