Mayor Brandon Johnson Delivers 'State of the Swamp' Rebuttal to Trump's State of the Union

Johnson criticized the president's address as "ramblings" and "incoherent phrases" that fail to address urgent issues facing working Americans.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

As President Trump delivered his State of the Union address, Democratic leaders and supporters held an opposing event known as the "State of the Swamp." Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson used the platform to criticize the president's speech, saying his words were "ramblings" and "incoherent phrases" that did not address the real problems facing working people, such as healthcare cuts, reduced food assistance, high rents, and low wages. Johnson also condemned the Trump administration's federal immigration enforcement efforts in Chicago.

Why it matters

The "State of the Swamp" event provided a counterpoint to the president's State of the Union address, giving Democratic leaders an opportunity to highlight issues they feel the administration has failed to adequately address. As the mayor of a major city that has faced federal immigration crackdowns, Johnson's criticism carries weight and reflects growing tensions between local and federal authorities over immigration enforcement.

The details

During his speech, Johnson said the president's words were "ramblings" and "incoherent phrases" that did not address urgent problems like poverty, healthcare cuts, reduced food assistance, high rents, and low wages. He also condemned the Trump administration's federal immigration enforcement efforts, including "Operation Midway Blitz," and vowed that Chicago would never accept the "militarization of our cities." Johnson signed an executive order last month directing the Chicago Police Department to investigate and document any alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents.

  • On February 25, 2026, President Trump delivered his State of the Union address.
  • Also on February 25, 2026, the "State of the Swamp" event was held as a counterpoint to the president's speech.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago who delivered a rebuttal to President Trump's State of the Union address at the "State of the Swamp" event.

Donald Trump

The president of the United States who delivered the State of the Union address that was criticized by Mayor Brandon Johnson.

Robert De Niro

An Oscar-winning actor who participated in the "State of the Swamp" event.

Jacob Frey

The mayor of Minneapolis who participated in the "State of the Swamp" event.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“When I heard his words and listened to his rhetoric, many of these words are just ramblings and incoherent phrases of nothing, and all I can think about is, of course, is Chicago and the working people across America.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (defiance.org)

“As long as I'm mayor of Chicago, we will never accept militarization of our cities. When Donald Trump describes our city as a war zone, he isn't just misrepresenting Chicago, he's undermining efforts by working class people across the country who is proving real safety is derived from investment, opportunity, collective responsibility, not intimidation nor militarization.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago (defiance.org)

What’s next

The mayor's executive order directing the Chicago Police Department to investigate and document any alleged illegal activity by federal immigration agents is expected to be a key focus in the coming weeks as the city continues to push back against the Trump administration's immigration enforcement efforts.

The takeaway

Mayor Brandon Johnson's forceful rebuttal to President Trump's State of the Union address at the "State of the Swamp" event underscores the growing divide between Democratic leaders in cities like Chicago and the Trump administration on issues like immigration, healthcare, and support for working families. Johnson's criticism reflects the determination of local officials to resist what they see as harmful federal policies and to advocate for the needs of their constituents.