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A28 u.s. news
Diahuebs 3 December 2020

Joe Biden weighs Rahm Emanuel for transportation secretary

Backers of Emanuel say his
efforts to revamp the Chi-
cago Transit Authority’s “L”
system, including significant
swaths of the city’s predomi-
nantly Black neighborhoods,
as well as adding more than
100 miles (161 kilometers) of
protected bike lanes, should
make him a leading candidate
for the post.

During his time as mayor,
Chicago saw $11 billion in
airfield, terminal and infra-
structure investments at the
city's airports. His admin-
istration also secured more
than $4.6 billion in federal
funding for Chicago transit,
including the moderniza-
tion of the city’s iconic train
system. His allies noted that
Emanuel’s push to rehab
transit included hiring more
than 1,000 nonviolent ex-of-
fenders to work on projects.

“I can’t debate some of the
opinions or assertions about
him,” said Michael Scott Jr.,
a Chicago alderman who rep-
resents a ward on the city’s
(AP) — President-elect He turned reviving Chicago’s Chicago mayor, citing a de- west side that has benefited
Joe Biden is considering ragged public transportation Rep. Mike Quigley, a Chi- sire to step away from the from the modernization un-
former Chicago Mayor system and overhauling the cago Democrat who replaced hectic life of elected office. der Emanuel’s watch. “What
Rahm Emanuel, a sub- city’s two busy, worn airports Emanuel in Congress when I am concerned about are
stantial and somewhat into a top issue during his he left to work for Obama, The decision came as he saw things that will be impacted
divisive figure in Demo- eight years as mayor. He is said Emanuel’s “tough, no his popularity erode in the in neighborhoods like the
cratic Party politics, to also credited with N nonsense” posture could city’s large African American one I serve. I know the ability
serve as his transportation make him an effective mem- community following the of him to get the work done
secretary. But selecting Emanuel could ber of the new Cabinet as the McDonald police shooting. if he’s put in that spot.”
be a tough sell to some in Biden administration will
Biden’s selection of his nom- the progressive wing of the immediately face major chal- The death of McDonald, Still, some progressive House
inee to lead the Transporta- Democratic Party who are lenges with the pandemic who was shot 16 times, be- Democrats have already made
tion Department is not be- critical of his handling of the and the economy. came a touchstone moment clear they are vigorously op-
lieved to be imminent, and high-profile police shooting in the ongoing national con- posed to seeing Emanuel in a
Emanuel is among multiple death of Laquan McDonald, “There is no honeymoon versation about racial injus- Biden White House.
candidates in the running for a Black teenager killed by a period,” Quigley said. “The tice. Emanuel said he did not
the Cabinet position, accord- white officer, during his time administration needs people see the grisly video until it “What is so hard to under-
ing to people familiar with as Chicago’s mayor. like Rahm who know how to was set to be made public in stand about this? Rahm
the matter who spoke on the get things done.” November 2015. Emanuel helped cover up the
condition of anonymity to Whether Emanuel is ulti- murder of Laquan McDon-
discuss the private delibera- mately picked could also be Some of the city’s Black elect- Still, he faced rebuke from ald. Covering up a murder
tions. affected by other factors as ed officials are also vouching some Black leaders in the city is disqualifying for public
But his candidacy threatens Biden has placed a premium for him. who accused him and his ad- leadership,” Ocasio-Cortez
to pull at the divisions among on building out a Cabinet ministration of covering up tweeted last week. “This is
Democrats that Biden has and team of senior advisers “Here’s a guy who under- the shooting. The city agreed not about the ‘visibility’ of a
largely managed to avoid as from a diverse set of back- stands government at all to pay a $5 million settlement post. It is shameful and con-
he begins to fill out his ad- grounds, according to people levels,” said Michelle Har- to McDonald’s family before cerning that he is even being
ministration. Progressive familiar with the matter. ris, a Chicago alderman who they could file suit. The for- considered.”
leaders, including Rep. Al- represents a predominantly mer officer, Jason Van Dyke, Cori Bush, an incoming
exandria Ocasio-Cortez of The Biden transition team Black ward on Chicago’s was convicted in 2018 of sec- Democratic congresswoman
New York, have been espe- did not respond to requests south side that benefited ond-degree murder and 16 from Missouri, added that
cially vocal in criticizing the for comment. from Emanuel’s push for counts of aggravated battery “the thing about covering up
prospect of Emanuel joining Chicago Transit Author- with a firearm and sentenced the murder of Laquan Mc-
the Cabinet. Allies of Emanuel in the Il- ity modernization. “He’s the to six years and nine months Donald is that it disqualifies
Emanuel, a former three- linois congressional delega- perfect candidate for the job. in prison. you from holding any type of
term congressman who tion have made the case to You don’t get many candi- public office. Forever.”
served as Barack Obama’s Biden transition officials dates that have more expe- Emanuel denied the cover-
first White House chief of that Emanuel’s knowledge rience on how government up allegations. He also em- As members of the House,
staff and was a senior adviser of Congress and breadth of works. He can start running braced a series of reforms in neither Ocasio-Cortez nor
in Bill Clinton’s administra- experience on big transporta- day one. He’s not going to be the city’s police department, Bush has a vote in a Senate
tion, has been a significant tion projects during his eight crawling or walking. He’s go- including a federally court- confirmation, though their
force in Democratic Party years as mayor of the nation’s ing to be running.” monitored consent decree to voices hold weight with
politics for much of the last third-largest city would make Emanuel announced in Sep- ensure that changes were car- a segment of voters who
three decades. him an effective leader at the tember 2018 that he would ried out. helped Biden beat President
Transportation Department. not run for a third term as Donald Trump.