In the aftermath of a weekend marred by gun violence in Chicago, the Democratic Mayor Brandon Johnson sparked controversy by seemingly placing partial blame on former President Richard Nixon, who passed away three decades ago. The Richard Nixon Foundation and a number of conservatives on social media swiftly fired back, disputing the mayor's claim.

During a press conference on Monday, Mayor Johnson expressed his frustration, stating, "What we've experienced over the weekend is unacceptable and we didn't get here overnight. And everyone knows that. Let's tell the full story of what happened." He then proceeded to attribute part of the blame to the former president, stating, "Black death has unfortunately been accepted in this country for a very long time. We had a chance 60 years ago to get at the root causes. And people mocked President Johnson, and we ended up with Richard Nixon."

In response to the mayor's remarks, Jim Byron, President and CEO of the Richard Nixon Foundation, issued a statement to Fox News Digital, defending Nixon's civil rights legacy. Byron asserted, "Richard Nixon was a champion of civil rights as Vice President and as President. The record is clear."

Byron continued by pointing out that misconceptions about Nixon have persisted over the years, but there has been a growing interest in studying and understanding his full life and legacy. The foundation's efforts to correct the record are gaining traction, with their correction of the record garnering nearly one million views on an unspecified platform.

While expressing sympathy for the heartbreaking situation in Chicago, Byron criticized Mayor Johnson's attempt to shift blame, calling it "ridiculous and gratuitous." The Nixon Foundation had previously responded to a social media post featuring a clip of Johnson's comments, asserting that the mayor's characterization of Nixon's civil rights record is not supported by facts.

The foundation highlighted various actions undertaken by the Nixon administration to promote civil rights, such as school desegregation, civil rights funding, and an executive order promoting equal-opportunity policies for federal personnel. They also emphasized Nixon's support for Black-owned businesses.

Conservatives on social media joined in criticizing Mayor Johnson's comments, questioning the relevance of blaming a president who served decades ago. Comedian Tim Young tweeted, "There were 109 shootings in Chicago this past weekend, so, of course, the Mayor blames RICHARD NIXON. You can't make this stuff up." Conservative commentator Stephen L. Miller pointed out the historical context, stating that the last Republican mayor of Chicago was elected in 1915, long before Nixon's time.

The controversy surrounding Mayor Johnson's blame game did not elicit a response from his office when contacted by Fox News Digital.

The debate continues as Chicago grapples with the aftermath of a weekend filled with tragic gun violence. The focus remains on finding effective solutions and implementing responsible leadership to address the root causes of these ongoing issues.