Emanuel, Trump Discussed Transition To The White House, Sanctuary Cities
By Lauren Chooljian
Emanuel, Trump Discussed Transition To The White House, Sanctuary Cities
By Lauren ChooljianChicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Monday he received a phone call from President-elect Donald Trump.
Emanuel said the conversation included the transition to the White House and Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city.
Emanuel, who worked for both the Obama and Clinton administrations, said the “impetus” of the call from Trump was the mayor’s history in the White House.
The mayor said since he is “familiar with being able to speak honestly and frankly with presidents,” he was upfront and direct with Trump.
“I’m not also not a shrinking violet, I think we can say that,” Emanuel said. “I’m also clear about what’s important for the city of Chicago what are our values and I’ve been very clear about what is important for the city and what our values are not just as a city but as a country.”
Emanuel kept many of the details of the conversation to himself. The mayor often chides reporters for asking about his private conversations with political leaders, and he says he maintains trust by not divulging details.
“It could also be, if you do it wrong, the last phone call you have,” Emanuel said of his call with Trump.
The mayor did share he and Trump spoke about Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, which keeps municipal employees from reporting undocumented immigrants. On the campaign trail, Trump pledged to block funding to sanctuary cities, which has lead the mayor and many city leaders to publicly renew their pledge to keep Chicago a safe place for immigrants.
“This is a great city, and as you know, he’s an investor in this city. He’s an investor in a city that is also, let me be clear, a sanctuary city,” Emanuel said.
Trump has also spoken with the mayors of Los Angeles and New York City.
Lauren Chooljian covers city politics for WBEZ. You can follow her at @laurenchooljian.