A Chicago police officer assigned to protect Mayor Brandon Johnson faces disciplinary action after reporting to work intoxicated following a Trump inauguration celebration.
According to Daily Mail, Officer Josue Najera, 44, was suspended after arriving drunk for his overnight shift guarding the mayor's residence, with a blood alcohol content nearly twice the legal limit.
The incident occurred on January 20 when Najera showed up for his 10-hour shift at 9 p.m., displaying erratic behavior and speaking loudly. When questioned by his supervisor, he admitted to drinking at an event at Trump Tower earlier that day, where he had been celebrating Donald Trump's presidential inauguration.
Prior to his shift, Najera had demanded to sit in a Chicago Police Department squad car around 7 p.m., leading to a confrontation with another officer.
When denied access, he called the department's 18th District station to file a complaint against his colleague.
A breathalyzer test administered that evening revealed Najera's blood alcohol content was 0.134 percent, significantly exceeding Illinois' legal limit of 0.08 percent. The officer claimed his last drink was consumed around 6:30 p.m., approximately two and a half hours before his shift began.
Following the incident, Najera was immediately stripped of his police powers and had his firearm confiscated. He was then taken to the 15th District station for further questioning about the events that transpired.
The Chicago Police Department has recommended a 25-day suspension for Najera, though this punishment has not yet been served. The officer has since been reassigned to the department's Alternate Response Section.
Najera joined the police force in 2017 and has been part of Johnson's security detail since August 2023. According to records cited by the Chicago Tribune, he had no prior misconduct complaints or disciplinary actions on his record.
Neither Mayor Johnson's office nor the Chicago Police Department has issued official statements regarding the suspension. When contacted by reporters, Najera declined to comment on the situation.
The suspension of Officer Josue Najera stems from his arrival at Mayor Brandon Johnson's residence while intoxicated after attending a Trump inauguration celebration at Chicago's Trump Tower.
The 44-year-old officer faces a recommended 25-day suspension after displaying erratic behavior and registering a blood alcohol content of 0.134 percent during his scheduled security shift.
The incident has resulted in Najera's reassignment within the Chicago Police Department, though he maintains his position on the force. His case represents a significant breach of protocol for an officer assigned to protect one of Chicago's highest-ranking public officials.
