Chicago School Board President Resigns Amid Controversial Social Media Posts
Chicago, IL — Just one week after his appointment, Chicago School Board President Reverend Mitchell Johnson has resigned following the surfacing of his controversial and offensive social media posts.
Controversial Social Media Posts Lead to Resignation
The former Reverend and now-former Board of Education President was faced with calls for resignation due to various posts on his social media, including problematic conspiracy theories and hateful statements.
His open defense of these posts and his past vetting session have raised serious concerns among Chicago officials. Moreover, his insensitive and derogatory comments regarding the 9/11 attacks and sentiments about Israel have been widely criticized as deeply disturbing.
Mayor Brandon Johnson was among those who demanded his resignation and described his statements as "hurtful and deeply disturbing." Mayor Johnson went on to state: "Antisemitic, misogynistic, and conspiratorial statements are unacceptable. We must ensure that every child in Chicago has access to a quality education, and his continued participation would hinder this work."
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker echoed the sentiment, believing that the social media posts not only fall short of the leadership expected from a Board President but also set a negative example that goes against the inclusive values held by the community.
Public Figures Demand Accountability and Vetting Changes
Local Chicago Council Members criticized the appointment process, questioning how Rev. Johnson’s prior legal issues and social media history went unnoticed. Specifically, questions were raised over why a simple social media search did not surface his inappropriate and offensive posts prior to his appointment, and why these posts were not uncovered until after his swearing-in.
Alderman Byron Sigcho-Lopez expressed disappointment in the appointment process, stating, "Surely, a simple social media search would have flagged these issues. We need to ensure our vetting process is thorough enough to prevent such situations in the future."
Nicole Lee, another alderman, echoed these sentiments, saying, "This situation highlights a major flaw in our vetting process. A simple search should have automatically disqualified him."
Rev. Johnson: "I’m a Regular Social Media User"
Rev. Johnson did not shy away from his social media habits, admitting openly that he is a regular user. Among his many troubling posts were ones that spread harmful conspiracy theories about 9/11 and Israel, and even an anti-women post.
One notable quote from Rev. Johnson’s Facebook post includes him stating, "I believe the Israeli government is engaged in genocide," which expresses his anti-Semitic views. He also insisted that the 9/11 towers could have withstood an airplane crash better.
Chicago Mayor’s Response to Calling for Rev. Johnson to Step Down
Mayor Brandon Johnson released a public statement after the social media posts surfaced, clarifying his position: "Reverend Mitchell Johnson’s statements were deeply disturbing and deeply unacceptable. His continued participation in the BOE would hinder the important work we need to accomplish for our schools. We will promptly identify a qualified individual who shares our commitment to educational excellence. We appreciate the calm and collaborative spirit of the Chicago public and aim to continue moving forward towards our educational goals."
Call to Actions
Keep checking ABC7 Chicago for the latest updates and reactions to this breaking news story. Stay tuned to our coverage for ongoing developments and insights into the ongoing controversy surrounding the Chicago School Board President’s resignation.
