President Obama Is 'Concerned' About Unrest In Chicago

By Kate Shepherd in News on Dec 11, 2015 4:41PM

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President Barack Obama is "concerned" about all of the recent unrest in his hometown.

White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest told reporters on Thursday that Obama's been following the controversy and fallout of the Laquan McDonald shooting video and "like other citizens of that fine city, he's concerned."

However, Obama has not spoken recently with Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, his former White House chief of staff, Earnest said in a press briefing last week. When asked on Monday if the president had spoken to the mayor about the broader situation in Chicago, Earnest said he was not aware of a conversation.

Emanuel has acknowledged that it's a long process to rebuild trust between the Chicago Police Department and Chicagoans and it will take a lot of work, according to Earnest.

"And the mayor himself took responsibility, both for the shortcomings that had been observed and on fixing it," Earnest said. "Ultimately, the citizens of Chicago will have to determine exactly how they feel about that."

Earnest has stayed mum when asked by reporters if Emanuel should resign.

The mayor's had a tough week after his apology speech to the City Council fell flat and protests erupted.

[H/T Chicago Tribune]