Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is shifting responsibility for “teen takeovers” on social media and is looking to hold them accountable.
The Democrat leader reacted to recent violence by gangs of teens, admonishing parents to be aware of their children’s activities and whereabouts.
(Video: NBC Chicago/YouTube)
“Unauthorized large gatherings can quickly become dangerous, and early this morning, after curfew hours, we saw that firsthand,” Johnson said in a statement posted to social media on Sunday. “I am grateful to the officers who responded diligently to help keep people safe and relieved that the officers who were injured are in fair condition.”
He also called on parents to “know where their children are and to help ensure they are safe and accounted for.”
In remarks on Wednesday, Johnson echoed the rhetoric of other Democrats calling for social media censorship.
“We prevent the vast majority of these from ever taking place. You know, there is an effort in City Council to hold these social media apparatuses accountable,” he said.
“I believe that we should continue to explore that and I’m going to continue to work with Alderman Hall around that. It’s why we’re actually taxing these Big Tech companies for the role that they have played in harming the mental health and well-being of our young people,” Johnson said.
When they steal cars, it’s the automaker’s fault.
When they have organized riots, it’s social media’s fault.
When they murder you, it’s society’s fault.
Zero agency. Zero responsibility. https://t.co/ugBcTvIBLK
— Oilfield Rando (@Oilfield_Rando) May 27, 2026
Social media users blasted the mayor for his response to the violence during Memorial Day weekend when five officers were struck by a car.
God forbid we actually hold the black teens accountable.
It’s not their fault, it’s the social media platforms fault.
This is why people think the black community is run by idiots.
This. Right. Here.
— Mr James Smith (@MrJamesSmithh) May 27, 2026
Hold everybody accountable except the ones creating the problems? Not a very good strategy which is why we see what we see.
— 🔥Dark to Light🔥 1776 – 2024 (@pitbullpatriot3) May 27, 2026
This is what you get when the village idiot gets elected mayor.
— Thomas (@posativnrg1120) May 27, 2026
No accountability. Hold the people doing the crime accountable and these takeovers will stop. This individual is going to stay in lockstep with the party line though ‘Everything is some corporation’s fault!’
— Charles Coleman (@Charles57367124) May 28, 2026
Socialists aren’t accountable for their actions, it’s always someone else’s fault.
— Brian Dreyer 🇺🇸 (@Bwdreyer) May 27, 2026
So not the kids? Not the parents? Social media companies? I would love to see this play out in court. I think social media companies are going to win in a landslide.
— Decoy (@Decoy042) May 27, 2026
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida. Powers also contributes to BizPac Review.
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