Turns out the deadly rate of gun crimes in Chicago was a serious crisis Mayor Rahm Emanuel let go to waste, as he announced Tuesday that he will not seek a third term in office.
“Today, the time has come to make another tough choice. As much as I love this job, and will always love this city and its residents, I’ve decided not to seek re-election,” Emanuel said, according to WLS-TV. “This has been the job of a lifetime, but it is not a job for a lifetime.”
The announcement was made at a City Hall press conference and comes after a recent weekend of staggering levels of violence in the city, where 64 people were shot, with 12 recorded fatalities — that first weekend of August being the most violent of the year.
Labor Day weekend saw more of the same, despite an extra 1,400 officers deployed on the streets by the Chicago Police Department.
Former Secret Service agent Dan Bongino tweeted about the number of fatalities over the weekend, linking to a Fox News report of 1,000 people shot since Memorial Day.
https://twitter.com/dbongino/status/1036969749291446273
Emanuel, 58, was first elected in 2011, succeeding the legendary Richard M. Daley.
Conservative pundit Michelle Malkin tweeted on what will likely be “Rahm’s legacy.”
Rahm's legacy:
Cashed in on Freddie Mac cronyism.
Reviled by Chicago citizens from all parts of the political spectrum.
Leaves behind unfettered violence, embittered law enforcement, failed government schools, and unchecked poverty.#goodriddance #dltdhyotwo https://t.co/ktChh7LIam— Michelle Malkin (@michellemalkin) September 4, 2018
Speaking of his legacy…
Chicago Under Rahm →
Shooting Incidents
2018: 1,645 (as of 9/2)
2017: 2,785
2016: 3,550
2015: 2,426
2014: 2,083
2013: 1,864
2012: 2,448
2011: 2,225
total: 19,026Murders
2018: 375 (as of 9/2)
2017: 650
2016: 771
2015: 488
2014: 416
2013: 419
2012: 504
2011: 436
total: 4,059 https://t.co/t4VwwtIwof— Fox News Research (@FoxNewsResearch) September 4, 2018
Emanuel’s announcement came as somewhat of a surprise, seeing as it was just last week he was threatening President Trump with a lawsuit over the city’s “sanctuary city” policy. But, city protesters sick of the crime took to the streets early in August. Some even called on help from Trump, and may have helped to unnerve the embattled mayor.
Here’s a sampling of other responses from Twitter that suggests Barack Obama’s wing man is not going to be missed, although for progressives, Emanuel was not far-left enough:
Early Christmas miracle! Rahm Emmanuel not running is the best news Chicago has received all year. Now we need a mayor that gives a damn about the people – all the city residents. Again,… https://t.co/ZzT69uQNt0
— Gianno Caldwell (@GiannoCaldwell) September 4, 2018
And on this day, September 4, 2018 the year of our lord and savior, Chicago was blessed by the departure of Rahm Emmanuel pic.twitter.com/zKBYNngBwz
— Courtney Grand Pre (@AngelaBae_Vis) September 4, 2018
Rahm Emmanuel won’t seek re-election. He was considering it? He’s responsible for a loss of life in Chicago that rivals a war zone. Couldn’t be elected if Saul Alinsky was running his campaign. #DirtyPolitics
— Stephen Wilson (@GR8_2B_alive) September 4, 2018
Mayor Rahm Emmanuel will not be seeking re-election.
He has just released his statement announcing the news to the press core listserve where he outlines all the ‘good’ he did for the city.
Activists & critics will have a field day ripping this particular sentence up pic.twitter.com/0ayLUIYaIf
— Zach Stafford (@ZachStafford) September 4, 2018
Rahm Emmanuel not running for mayor again pic.twitter.com/O3ttdEHZB3
— heroabstract (@heroabstract) September 4, 2018
Wow. Stepping down from any political seat in Chicago is not a thing you see very often. Rahm Emmanuel has served 2 terms; Richard M. Daley, his predecessor and the city's longest-serving mayor, declined to run for a 7th. This is going to be a political free-for-all. https://t.co/vg6wAs66wf
— Ann Marie Lipinski (@AMLwhere) September 4, 2018
https://twitter.com/emmawebsta/status/1037011315661975552
Happy Tuesday!!! https://t.co/R3nCRZv3nO
— Olivia Shaw (@ItsOliviaShaw) September 4, 2018
Adios, Rahm Emanuel. pic.twitter.com/Eh82n5nhI4
— Thomas Caestecker (@tomcaestecker) September 4, 2018
Does this mean he will be the vice-presidential candidate when Michelle Obama announces she’s running for president in 2020? Just asking.
— MovingForward (@HappyTraveler48) September 4, 2018
— THE MAD CATSULE MARKETS (@Kamunt) September 4, 2018
Perhaps, the best take of the day…
How long until Rahm Emanuel has a Nike deal?
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) September 4, 2018
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