Colorado Springs’ First Black Mayor in Hot Water After Implication in Hate-Crime Hoax at Federal Trial

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A federal jury convicted a trio for staging a hate crime that boosted Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade’s campaign—while testimony and evidence suggest the mayor himself may have been involved in the hoax and later misled the FBI.

Key Facts:

  • Mayor Yemi Mobolade won his 2023 election after a staged hate crime appeared to target him with racial slurs and a burning cross.
  • Derrick Bernard, now serving life for an unrelated crime, testified that Mobolade helped plan the hoax and later denied contact with him to the FBI.
  • The FBI confirmed Mobolade changed phones after the incident and gave false statements during interviews.
  • The Biden DOJ declined to indict Mobolade, reportedly telling agents: “We can’t indict the first black mayor of Colorado Springs.”
  • Local Councilman Donelson called for an investigation, saying, “If I were the mayor, I’d want to clear this up.”

The Rest of The Story:

In May 2023, a video showing a campaign sign defaced with a racial slur and a burning cross near it sparked outrage and sympathy, helping Yemi Mobolade—an independent with left-leaning politics—win the Colorado Springs mayoral race in a GOP stronghold.

The FBI now confirms it was all a hoax orchestrated by media figure Derrick Bernard, his wife, and a third accomplice, all of whom have been convicted or pleaded guilty.

The FBI presented phone records and testimony showing Mobolade had multiple communications with Bernard before and after the staged hate crime, contradicting his sworn statements.

Evidence also showed the supposed “cross burning” was staged using flammable twine that burned for only 20 seconds, captured on video and immediately sent to the press.

At trial, Mobolade could not explain a five-minute phone call with Bernard shortly after the staged incident and was visibly shaken when shown a transcript of his FBI interview denying the call.

Despite this, the DOJ declined prosecution of the mayor and continued to portray him as the victim.

One FBI official told The Daily Wire the Biden administration’s DOJ said, “We can’t indict the first black mayor of Colorado Springs.”

Commentary:

The pieces don’t fit together, and the gaps are growing harder to ignore.

Derrick Bernard testified under oath that Mayor Mobolade knew about and helped plan the hoax.

That alone should raise alarm, especially when paired with FBI confirmation that the mayor lied about his contacts and changed phones the day after the incident.

Mobolade insisted he never spoke to Bernard—but there’s a five-minute phone call, a series of texts, and even statements where Bernard refers to “getting him across the finish line.”

That’s not coincidence—that’s coordination.

Then there’s the video.

Not only does it obscure the racial slur, but it also conveniently covers up the entire cross.

And the burn?

It lasted mere seconds, confirming the fire was a staged prop, not a threat.

The Biden Justice Department’s role is even more troubling.

FBI sources say prosecutors refused to indict Mobolade not for lack of evidence, but because of his race.

“We can’t indict the first black mayor of Colorado Springs,” DOJ officials allegedly said.

If that’s true, it’s a politicized miscarriage of justice.

Equal justice under the law cannot depend on skin color or political convenience.

Mobolade’s post-trial statement tried to pivot back to anti-racism messaging—avoiding the hard questions about his involvement.

But city officials, including Councilman Dave Donelson, aren’t buying it.

“For this councilman, something doesn’t add up. If I were the mayor, I’d want to clear this up,” he told The Daily Wire.

Donelson also publicly called for a new DOJ review into whether Mobolade’s case was dismissed for political reasons.

“I call for an investigation into these accusations and actions. The citizens of Colorado Springs deserve answers about the mayor’s involvement.”

When elected leaders are tied to criminal acts—even indirectly—they owe the public more than vague denials.

They owe accountability.

The Department of Justice should reopen this case and let the facts speak for themselves.

The Bottom Line:

A jury convicted three individuals for staging a hate crime that helped Mayor Mobolade’s campaign.

But evidence and testimony suggest the mayor may have been involved and lied to federal agents.

The Biden DOJ’s refusal to charge Mobolade has triggered bipartisan concern over political interference in justice.

Local officials are now calling for a formal investigation. Colorado Springs—and the country—deserve honest answers.

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