CHICAGO (WLS) — The U.S. Department of Justice is opening up a civil rights investigation into the city of Chicago, it said in a letter to the mayor’s office on Monday.

The DOJ is specifically looking into the city’s hiring practices.

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This comes after Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson’s remarks at the Apostolic Church of God in Woodlawn on Sunday prompted a barrage of social media posts calling for an investigation.

Johnson shared his vision for the rest of his term, emphasizing education, public safety and equity. Johnson also said his administration is one of the most diversity in the city’s history.

“There are some detractors that will try and push back on me and say, ‘The only thing the mayor talks about is the hiring of Black people.’ No. What I’m saying is, when you hire our people, we always look out for everybody else. We are the most generous people on the planet,” Johnson said.

In a letter to the mayor’s office, the DOJ says Johnson’s comments highlighting the number of “Black officials” in his administration prompted this investigation.

“Business and economic neighborhood development, the deputy mayor is a Black woman… Department of Planning and Development is a Black woman… Infrastructure, deputy mayor is a Black woman… Chief operations officer is a Black man… Budget director is a Black woman… Senior advisor is a Black man,” Johnson said.

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Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon stated in the letter, in part, “If these kind of hiring decisions are being made for top-level positions in your administration, then it begs the question whether such decisions are also being made for lower-level positions.”

Johnson’s office released a statement on Monday afternoon, saying, “Mayor Johnson is proud to have the most diverse administration in the history of our city. Our administration reflects the diversity and values of Chicago. Unfortunately, the current federal administration does not reflect either. We are aware of the letter issued by the Department of Justice, but are awaiting the official receipt of the letter. Our Corporation Counsel will review it at that time.”

City Hall leaders are already reacting to the investigation.

“Hearing what he said and seeing this investigation, taking part, unfolding today, I think validates the concerns that many people have that this isn’t a mayor for everyone,” said 15th Ward Ald. Raymond Lopez. “I think many people throughout the city of Chicago have felt as if they have been excluded under this administration.”

Lopez also called the mayor’s remarks a quote “political gift” for President Donald Trump, and said he is concerned over what could come next.

“The mayor has made it possible for Donald Trump to zero in on us, once again, to kick us, once again, and to use that as an excuse to take away money from us,” Lopez said.

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