Emanuel Not Worried That Trump Presidency Will Cost Chicago
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Rahm Emanuel was disappointed with Hillary Clinton's defeat in the Presidential election, but he tried to find a silver lining in Donald Trump's victory in the race for the White House.
The mayor said he takes heart in Democratic victories in races for Illinois state comptroller, U.S. Senate, Congress, and the Cook County State's attorney's office
"When you look at all the diversity of Susana Mendoza, Tammy Duckworth, Raja [Krishnamoorthi], Kim Foxx, I think it speaks to the strength that Illinois represented that everybody counts," he said.
The results of the presidential race were not what Emanuel expected, but the former White House chief of staff has hope.
"Having worked on transitions for two presidents, it's now incumbent for the new Republican majority in both the House, the Senate, and the White House to both hear, respect, and listen to the voices that also did not vote for them," he said.
Emanuel said the framework of Trump's victory was visible in the primary elections, the debates, and in the developed world, but some people just didn't see them.
"Everybody predicted … saw her winning, but after the election the results was also somewhat right in front of you. As I say, somewhat this election's a little about your eyes wide shut," he said.
The mayor was outspoken in his criticism of Trump's policies and promises, but he said he's not worried about Chicago paying the price.
"I'm not sure that President-elect Trump will listen to me, but I would say that 'You're the president for all of America, and that includes the third largest city in the country,'" he said.
Trump repeatedly held up Chicago as an example of a city where crime is rampant – comparing it to a "war torn-country," and suggesting its crime problem could be solved "in a week" if cops used tougher tactics like stop-and-frisk – but Emanuel promised to resist any presidential policies on policing at odds with the city's efforts.
