Op-ed views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author.

The law enforcement veteran and InVest USA founder discusses the actions of the mayor, who kicked out citizens trying to voice their opinions surrounding migrants.

Everyone has a right to their opinion. They truly do. Some take that too far on social media, as expected, but the fact of the matter is that you have the right to speak your mind, even if people aren’t content in agreeing with you.

Now imagine if that right gets squandered by a government official because they don’t really want to hear what you have to say. That’s exactly what happened at a town hall meeting in Chicago this past week, with Mayor Brandon Johnson choosing to usher angry citizens out the door instead of listening to them.

Chicago has already been in hot water for some time, particularly with how it’s been allowing illegal migrants to come into the city and do whatever they please. But this is a step too far.

During the town hall, which was supposed to focus on his proposed 2025 budget for the city, Johnson found himself face-to-face with residents who were protesting against the extensive funding that he had in mind for migrants.

One resident noted, “You caused all this money to go to illegal immigrants. Anything that you all pass is not genuine.”

Another said that Johnson was failing to “protect the people of Chicago from invasion.”

And that statement speaks volumes. But that’s nowhere compared to the deafening move that Johnson made next.

Instead of actually listening to these people and noticing the impact that these illegal immigrants have made upon the city, he instead called for a temporary recess to have these residents booted from the courtroom by police. Then he managed to secure the votes needed to get his precious funding – including support for said migrants.

Are you kidding me?

At what point in time did migrants become a more important commodity to a government official than his own citizens? That’s betrayal in every sense of the word, especially when he refused to listen to these criticisms.

But Johnson is no stranger to wasting money on the wrong resources. According to Fox News, he managed to hire a number of staffers – too many for a man in his position – and give them an inflated salary. 

Chicago reporter William Kelly sounded off further on this, confirming that over 100 (!) staffers are on board, making a six-figure salary. While, mind you, the city descends into chaos at the hands of more migrants coming in.

“The vice mayor, a guy named Alderman Burnett, convicted of bank robbery, armed robbery, spent time in jail, he’s getting paid in addition to his aldermanic salary almost half a mil to be ‘vice mayor,’ which essentially has no duties or responsibilities other than waiting to possibly become mayor if something were to happen to Mayor Johnson,” Kelly noted. Does this sound like leadership to you? It sure doesn’t to me.

Chicago’s leaders have always had a way of thinking they’re “ahead” of everyone else, thinking they’re pioneers without actually looking at the damage that they’ve been doing. And hoo boy, Johnson takes the cake. In fact, he’s taking the entire bakery.

It’s a disturbing sight, especially when you consider that Donald Trump, re-entering the presidency next month, has a plan in place to get illegal migrants sent back over the border. The real question is how much Johnson’s bloated policy will clash with this – and if it’ll throw off his way of “business,” as it were.

All I can hope is that Chicago’s citizens are paying close attention. Attention to how Johnson isn’t giving them the time of day and instead focusing on his own agenda with unnecessary staff and a city-draining budget to pay them. 

Because, I’ll tell you, come election time, they’re going to remember this. They’ll remember the citizens being unfairly shut out in favor of giving migrants support.

If you don’t take care of your people, don’t expect them to take care of you. You get what you give, period.

Happy Holidays, everyone! And Merry Christmas!

About Michael Letts:

Michael Letts is the Founder, President, and CEO of InVest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bulletproof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs. He also has over 30 years of law enforcement experience under his belt, hence his pro-police stance for his brothers and sisters in blue. Those interested in learning more about Letts can visit his official website here. 

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Michael Letts

Michael A. Letts, Founder, President, and CEO of In-Vest USA, a national grassroots non-profit organization that is helping hundreds of communities provide thousands of bullet-proof vests for their police forces through educational, public relations, sponsorship, and fundraising programs.

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