Chicago’s Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson came under immediate fire after smugly unveiling a new “Abolish ICE” snowplow.
At a news conference on Wednesday, Johnson blasted Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other federal agents being deployed to the Windy City as he addressed the winning name for the city’s snowplow-naming contest. The Democrat’s grandstanding press conference followed the tragic death of a local college student who was killed by an alleged illegal immigrant.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson just unveiled an “Abolish ICE” snow plow.
Less than a week after Sheridan Gorman was murdered in his city by an illegal alien. pic.twitter.com/C6teobdrUn
— Greg Price (@greg_price11) March 25, 2026
“This name derives from our city’s legacy of standing up for justice, dignity, and the rights of all people, no matter where they come from,” Johnson said. “I want to take this moment to reiterate that Chicago does not want ICE on our streets, in our airports, nor in our city. Chicago believes in abolishing ICE.”
A heckler reportedly interrupted the mayor’s remarks.
‘You’re making a joke out of Sheridan Gorman. Shame on you!’ the person said, according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “ICE would have saved Sheridan Gorman. She would still be alive.”
Sheridan Gorman, an 18-year-old Loyola University freshman, was gunned down last week, allegedly by Venezuelan migrant Jose Medina, 25, who was released into the U.S. under the Biden administration after Border Patrol detained him in 2023 for illegally entering the country.
Johnson was questioned about the optics of timing his anti-ICE rhetoric and the snowplow announcement during Wednesday’s news conference.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” he said. “This tragedy is not going to deter us from our work. In fact, it’s going to challenge us all to double down on our efforts to ensure that we are protecting every single individual across neighborhoods.”
Gorman’s death was “100% avoidable,” according to Chicago Democratic Ald. Raymond Lopez.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson unveils an “Abolish ICE” themed snowplow.
The rollout comes amid ongoing debate over sanctuary policies and public safety. pic.twitter.com/fWnNYFCtXb
— Brandon Straka #WalkAway (@BrandonStraka) March 25, 2026
“The culmination of the choices made here in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois to protect noncitizens even when they choose to engage in dangerous criminal behavior, that mindset has to change,” he told Fox News. “That mindset has to stop because Sheridan and the other 1,200 other individuals across this country who’ve been victims… victimized by noncitizens deserved to be honored in a change in mindset and law.”
Johnson was raked over the coals on social media.
This is the kind of political theater that makes people angrier instead of more informed. When a city is already dealing with fear, grief, and real public safety concerns, turning a snowplow into a slogan just feels tone deaf. Leadership should know the difference between making…
— Peter Fadipe (@Petfad1) March 26, 2026
People aren’t just reacting because of politics, they’re reacting because the timing feels insensitive. A loss like that hits hard, and leaders are expected to show compassion and unity, not prioritize a symbolic message while families are grieving.
— Davido’s bodyguard 💪🏼🔥 (@Soromto001) March 26, 2026
total trainwreck…….ignorance level at 10 with this clown.
— OlicoTM (@olicoTM) March 25, 2026</bl
Here I am, once again, embarrassed for my city
— Ryan (@_RyanFromChi) March 25, 2026
After saying “There’s no words that one could express that could properly console a family that lost their baby. And my condolences to the Gorman Family”
Johnson shoves that in their face with this highly offensive truck.
This just shows that Johnson’s words are worthless.
— Ryan Dally (@Ryandally08) March 25, 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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