http://twitchy.com/grateful-calvin/2024/05/03/chicago-mayor-brandon-johnson-runs-away-from-the-media-n2395858
On April 21, Chicago police officer Luis Huesca was driving home from work, still in uniform, at about 3 a.m. when he was mercilessly executed by a carjacker who then stole his vehicle. Huesca was just six days shy of his 31st birthday when he was killed.
Chicago Police Officer Luis Huesca
Over the past two weeks, the FBI and local law enforcement have conducted a manhunt for his killer, with good news coming on April 30 when the suspect, Xavier Tate Jr., was arrested by police. It was a nice added touch that authorities arrested him using Huesca's own handcuffs.
Police arrest Xavier L. Tate Jr., 22, in Glendale Heights Wednesday evening. Photo provided to the Sun-Times.
Xavier Tate Jr. - Chicago Police Department
It is sadly not surprising that Tate had a criminal history, but what WAS surprising was Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson's reaction to the arrest.
Yesterday, CBS Chicago reporter Darius Johnson and Mary Ann Ahern of NBC5 Chicago attempted to ask Johnson about the killing and the arrest after Johnson had completed speaking at a prayer breakfast.
Did Johnson stop to mourn the loss of Huesca, or thank law enforcement for their efforts in bringing his killer to justice?
No, he turned tail and fled. Watch:
Darius Johnson (DJ) (@DariusJohnsonTV) ~ NEW VIDEO: @ChicagosMayor RUNS from me and another reporter as we tried to ask him about the arrest in the death of Officer Luis Huesca.
He did not comment. As you see he drove off.
More on this at 4 on @cbschicago.
Video ~ http://twitter.com/i/status/1786106042369155247
Johnson had previously attempted to pin the Huesca killing on 'gun violence' and not the rampant lawlessness that has engulfed Chicago during his and his predecessor's tenure. Maybe he didn't want to talk about that.
But that doesn't excuse this cowardice.
And it gets even worse, if you can even believe that.
Later the mayor's office responded to inquiries about this video with one of the lamest excuses possible: 'Wasn't me.'
Darius Johnson (DJ) (@DariusJohnsonTV) ~ UPDATE:
The mayor's office responds, as you can see the mayor and his detail left in a hurry and did not answer q’s.
Johnsons office says, “That isn’t Mayor Brandon Johnson in the video and the person that is being filmed running was trying to catch the car before it departed.”
16th & 17th District Chicago Police Scanner (@CPD1617Scanner) ~ This has to be one of the more bizarre moments ever seen from a Chicago mayor.
A boilerplate answer would have sufficed. Instead, he runs from reporters asking basic questions and basically giving him a chance to display some grace and support.
Instead, he literally runs away.
It appears he had more to say about the death of Dexter Reed, who shot at Chicago Police officers, than he did about the arrest of Xavier Tate, who murdered an officer who protects the city he is in charge of leading.
It is bizarre. But as that tweet continues to say, Johnson didn't seem to want to run away from reporters when the topic was Dexter Reed. That's curious, isn't it?
Citizen 𝑣𝑠 Machine, PhD (@CitizenVMachine) ~
Indeed.
But people may have been even MORE disgusted by his office trying to lie about the video.
MontyD (@HDMonty2) ~ Does he honestly think we are morons?
He just thinks that it doesn't matter. People will vote for him anyway. Honestly, until Chicago proves him wrong, it's difficult to argue with that strategy.
16th & 17th District Chicago Police Scanner (@CPD1617Scanner) ~ Not only are they calling the multiple reporters who saw him run away from the podium liars but they think the rest of the public with working eyes are blind and stupid and they expect everyone to believe this nonsense.
It's insulting to every single person that lives in the city of Chicago.
The "Democratic Socialist, CTU" approved candidate, everyone.
Stuart Loren (@StuLoren) ~ So a bunch of established reporters like Darius and @MaryAnnAhernNBC are being untruthful? I believe it’s Ms. Ahern who literally asks in the video “Mr. Mayor why do you have to run from us?” In any event, leaving in haste in response to legitimate questions is a horrible look.
Just like Chicago voters, the same goes for reporters. It will continue as long as you put up with it.
Mike Vielhaber (@MVielhaber) ~ Wait, they denied this was the Mayor ... WHAT?!?! Try again ...
Kenneth Webb @bullCityNerd (@bullcitynerd) ~ Mayor Johnson after someone who looks like him gets into a SUV and is whisked away:
Dos Can Sox (@DosCanSox) ~ This is Mayor Johnson's stunt double ...
HeyJackass.com (@w_h_thompson) ~
Now a Suffering Sox Fan (@irvineghost20) ~
Dana Kozlov (@DanaCBS2) ~ My take: Answering questions, facing reporters, comes with being an elected official. It's part of the job=accountability to the public. Refusing to do so is worth noting. @cbschicago
It's not worth 'noting.' It's worth 'recalling,' as in, an election.
And yet, the truly baffling part still remains: the arrest of Tate should have been a moment Brandon Johnson celebrated. Especially since the Chicago media isn't exactly known for grilling Democrat politicians with hard questions. Why wouldn't he do that?
The only conclusion we can come up with is that his political instincts are just as horrible as his governing skills.
And now, the city knows him as a coward to boot.
The essential American soul is hard, isolate, stoic, and a killer. It has never yet melted. ~ D.H. Lawrence
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