US EditionMayor Brandon Johnson fires deputy mayor for public safety Garien Gatewood, source says
Mayor Brandon Johnson dismissed Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood amid internal complaints and a shift towards policy focus; Chicago saw violent crime drop by nearly half, officials said.
- On Thursday, Mayor Brandon Johnson fired Garien Gatewood, Deputy Mayor for Community Safety, who said the dismissal 'came out of nowhere' and he received little explanation.
- Amid reports of internal complaints, sources at the mayor's office said Gatewood faced concerns about hostile gestures toward women and self-promotion, prompting a policy shift.
- Garien Gatewood had been the quarterback of The People's Plan for Community Safety and a key liaison with the Chicago Police Department, known for in-person work including a July 3, 2025 press conference.
- First Deputy Jason Sanford will serve as interim Deputy Mayor of Community Safety while Manny Whitfield was also dismissed and community leaders plan a Friday press conference seeking an explanation.
- The timing drew criticism as community leaders and aldermen warned Gatewood's exit could weaken relations vital to Chicago's homicide and shooting reductions, with critics saying 'considering the timing of this, it is very disappointing'.
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Mayor Brandon Johnson fires deputy mayor for public safety Garien Gatewood as faith leaders raise concerns
Members of the Chicago Faith Coalition are calling on Mayor Brandon Johnson to bring stability to the city’s community safety role after the abrupt termination of Deputy Mayor Garien Gatewood…
Chicago community safety chief fired ahead of summer, sparking prevention concerns
Chicago City Hall is facing a major shakeup heading into summer following the firing of a top public safety official - a move that some aldermen and faith leaders say has them concerned.
Mayor Johnson fires deputy mayor of community safety amid allegations of toxic work environment – Chicago Sun-Times
Johnson created the position of deputy mayor for community safety just hours after his inauguration in May 2023. He saw the role as crucial to delivering on a key campaign promise to confront the “root causes” of violent crime.
Mayor Johnson fires deputy mayor of public safety amid allegations of toxic work environment, self-promotion
Deputy Mayor of Community Safety Garien Gatewood said he was called into a meeting with Johnson’s chief of staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas and top aide Jason Lee, and told they were “moving in a different direction.”
Chicago Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Garien Gatewood suddenly fired, officials say
The man who oversaw public safety in the mayor's office is speaking out after being suddenly fired for reasons that are now raising questions as agencies begin turning their attention to summer and plans to prevent violence.
Mayor's public safety point person is out
Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson has apparently fired his deputy mayor for community safety. The mayor brought on Garien Gatewood within days of taking office in 2023, and tasked him with focusing on the root causes of crime in Chicago.
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