Rachel Cohen Joins Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Administration

Mayor Brandon Johnson has recruited Rachel Cohen, a social media influencer and activist, as the communication director for his administration. This decision signals Johnson’s focus on engaging Chicagoans through platforms like Instagram and TikTok with progressive messaging.

Johnson highlighted Cohen’s substantial social media following, numbering over 700,000, as a key factor in the appointment. He stated, “The way people get their news and information is changing, and we have to meet Chicagoans where they are. Rachel understands how to take complex issues and make them accessible, while bringing the work of this administration directly to people on every platform.”

Rachel Cohen, known for her videos discussing leftist political views, gained internet fame after leaving Skadden, a prominent Chicago law firm, over its pro-bono agreement with President Donald Trump’s administration.

Protester Rachel Cohen yells “shame” at federal agents during a protest at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Sept. 12, 2025. (Dominic Di Palermo/Chicago Tribune)

Cohen emerged as a critic of Trump’s Operation Midway Blitz immigration crackdown and has been a vocal supporter of progressive candidates like New York Mayor Zoran Mamdani and Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed.

More recently, Cohen collaborated with Johnson’s team to create videos promoting the mayor’s initiatives, a partnership she noted was unpaid in an interview last month. “I am honored to join Mayor Johnson’s administration, which has been working tirelessly to deliver progressive policy, and work with the team to ensure Chicagoans know how to take advantage of the many resources and programs Mayor Johnson has spearheaded,” Cohen stated.

Cohen succeeds Erin Connelly, who had previously reinstated regular press briefings and enhanced the mayor’s social media presence during her term as communications director. The 32-year-old Cohen, a graduate of Harvard Law School and one of Chicago Magazine’s 2025 “Chicagoans of the Year,” has not held a permanent communication office role before.

In her commentary work, Cohen has published numerous videos and articles, often critiquing Trump’s policies and political opponents of Mayor Johnson like Michael Sacks, a financier linked to former Mayor Rahm Emanuel.

On social media, Cohen shared her decision to join City Hall after declining other job offers. She emphasized her commitment to promoting progressive policies and community engagement.

She also expressed her intention to demonetize her social media accounts, reduce posting frequency, and refrain from discussing city electoral politics. Cohen discussed her belief that Johnson’s achievements, such as taxing the rich, addressing crime’s root causes, and expanding affordable housing, deserve more recognition. “I don’t think he’s been given his due,” Cohen remarked. “He’s done all of these things, and they just haven’t quite broken through in the way that I think they should have with everyday Chicagoans.”