Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson faced backlash for initially planning to remove a statue of George Washington from City Hall, part of a broader effort to update spaces, with ties to previous mayor Lori Lightfoot's initiative to address 'problematic' statues. Johnson's spokesperson mentioned considering local Black historical figures as replacements for the statue. The decision to remove Washington's statue led to public outcry and political debate, with some defending Washington's historical significance and questioning the prioritization amid other city issues like violent crime. The move reflects broader national debates on historical monuments and race, with critics highlighting concerns about erasing history and the impact on racial tensions.