Can Chicago’s mayor take the heat?
Mayor Brandon Johnson fled from members of the media who sought to question him on Thursday, according to WMAQ-TV video that later was disputed by the mayor’s office.
In the video, at least two different reporters were seen seeking Johnson’s comments on an arrest made in connection to the shooting death of Chicago Police Department Officer Luis Huesca.
“Mr. Mayor, why do you have to run from us?” one reporter asked the Democratic mayor as he apparently fled.
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 pic.twitter.com/oFj7YfIRjP
— Darius Johnson (DJ) (@DariusJohnsonTV) May 2, 2024
Johnson reportedly was quick to reach a black vehicle in which he was surrounded by security.
“Mayor, we just want a comment about the arrest last night in relation to Officer Huesca,” another reporter said to him.
Another angle, shared by WMAQ’s Mary Ann Ahern, apparently showed members of the media pursuing the beleaguered elected official as he fled.
Is Mayor Brandon Johnson a coward?
But Johnson’s office later told the media that it was wrong about the incident.
“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,” the mayor’s office said.
Mayor refused to take questions earlier today. Here’s what happened. @nbcchicago
More tonight 5p and 6p pic.twitter.com/0wgG84mgJs— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) May 2, 2024
Meanwhile, members of Huesca’s family had asked Johnson to refrain from attending the memorial of their slain relative on Monday, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
Nothing better captures @ChicagosMayor‘s first-year struggles more than this: He was asked not to attend the funeral of slain police officer Luis Huesca.
His mother said, “Tell the mayor not to come.”@Wirepoints on Johnson’s first year.https://t.co/NQUzzvxLf8 #twill #Chicago pic.twitter.com/ZXEAeZTSW3
— Wirepoints (@Wirepoints) May 1, 2024
Huesca’s mother cited what she identified as Johnson’s lack of support for the Chicago Police Department in barring him from the funeral.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker was similarly asked not to attend the event, which Chicago police officers attended in droves.
Amazing Grace on bagpipes as helicopters hover overhead at funeral for fallen Chicago Police Officer Luis M. Huesca at Saint Rita’s on South Western Avenue. pic.twitter.com/XZxYquqeh1
— Mark Weyermuller (@publicpolicyman) April 29, 2024
Johnson has struggled with dealing with the Chicago press corps before, according to WBEZ.
It reportedly is rare that the Democrat openly answers questions.
“The City Hall press corps has turned hostile, openly frustrated with a mayor who is seldom accessible and evasive when he does take questions,” Chicago journalist Fran Spielman wrote of Johnson’s apparent difficulties.
___________________________________________
