Rahm Emanuel - Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rahm Emanuel
31st United States Ambassador to Japan
Assumed office
February 1, 2022
PresidentJoe Biden
Preceded byBill Hagerty
55th Mayor of Chicago
In office
May 16, 2011 – May 20, 2019
DeputyRay Suarez
Brendan Reilly
Preceded byRichard M. Daley
Succeeded byLori Lightfoot
23rd White House Chief of Staff
In office
January 20, 2009 – October 1, 2010
PresidentBarack Obama
DeputyMona Sutphen
Jim Messina
Preceded byJoshua Bolten
Succeeded byPete Rouse (acting)
Chair of the House Democratic Caucus
In office
January 3, 2007 – January 2, 2009
DeputyJohn B. Larson
LeaderNancy Pelosi
Preceded byJim Clyburn
Succeeded byJohn B. Larson
Chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
In office
January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
Preceded byBob Matsui
Succeeded byChris Van Hollen
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Illinois's 5th district
In office
January 3, 2003 – January 2, 2009
Preceded byRod Blagojevich
Succeeded byMike Quigley
Senior Advisor to the President
In office
January 20, 1993 – November 7, 1998
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded byDoug Sosnik
White House Director of Political Affairs
In office
January 20, 1993 – June 23, 1993
PresidentBill Clinton
Preceded byJanet Mullins
Succeeded byJoan Baggett
Personal details
Born
Rahm Israel Emanuel

(1959-11-29) November 29, 1959 (age 64)
Chicago, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
Amy Rule (m. 1994)
Children3
EducationSarah Lawrence College (BA)
Northwestern University (MA)
Signature

Rahm Israel Emanuel[1] (pronounced /ˈrɑːm/; born November 29, 1959) is an American politician. He is the United States Ambassador to Japan since 2022. He was the 55th Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019.[2][3] Emanuel was the White House Chief of Staff during the Barack Obama administration from 2009 until 2010. Between 2003 and 2009, he was a member of the United States House of Representatives for Illinois's 5th congressional district. He also was an advisor to President Bill Clinton between 1993 until 1998.

Early life[change | change source]

Emanuel was born on November 29, 1959 in Chicago, Illinois to a Jewish family. He studied at Sarah Lawrence College and at Northwestern University.

Political career[change | change source]

U.S. representative (2003-2009)[change | change source]

He was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Illinois's 5th congressional district, from 2003 until his resignation in 2009 to become a member of the Obama Administration. He is the first Jewish mayor of Chicago.[3]

Emanuel was chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee during the 2006 mid-term elections and remained a top strategist for House Democrats during the 2008 cycle. After Democrats regained control of the House in 2006, Emanuel was elected chairman of the Democratic Caucus. This made him the fourth-ranking House Democrat, behind Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn.[4]

White House Chief of Staff (2009-2010)[change | change source]

Two days after Obama's election victory, Emanuel was announced as Obama's designee for White House Chief of Staff.[5] He resigned from the House on January 2, 2009, and began his duties as Chief of Staff on January 20, 2009, the day of Obama's inauguration.[5]

Mayor of Chicago (2011-2019)[change | change source]

Emanuel resigned as Chief of Staff effective October 1, 2010, in order to run for Mayor of Chicago pending the announced retirement of six term incumbent Richard M. Daley.

On January 27, 2011, the Illinois Supreme Court reversed a lower court's ruling[6] that had cast doubt on Emanuel's candidacy; the court unanimously decided that Emanuel did not abandon his Chicago residency by serving in the White House, thus affirming his ability to run for mayor.[7] He won the Mayoral election on February 22, 2011, with 55% of the vote.[8] President Obama appointed William M. Daley, the brother of Emanuel's predecessor as mayor, as Chief of Staff to replace Emanuel.

Emanuel created a transition team from varied backgrounds.[9][10] On November 16, the city council voted unanimously to adopt the mayor's first budget, which decreased the budget by $34 million and increased spending by $46.2 million, supported by increasing fees and fines. Despite most Aldermen opposing cuts to library workers and the closure of mental health clinics, they ultimately supported it, calling it "honest".[11][12] At a news conference in November 2012, Emanuel listed his top three priorities for the state legislature as security and pension reform, adding a casino to Chicago, and equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.[13] At a press conference with Illinois Governor Pat Quinn, who previously vetoed legislation to put a casino in Chicago, the two were "very close" to reaching a deal.[14]

Emanuel won his second term during the run-off re-election campaign. He defeated Jesus "Chuy" Garcia. Emanuel won 56.76% of the votes.

In November and into December 2015, Emanuel has been criticized for his handling of the Laquan McDonald shooting, mainly for covering and allowing Chicago police to get away with excessive use of force on black minorities.[15] Chicago Tribune columnist John Kass wrote that the Emanuel administration withheld from the public the police dashboard camera video of the Laquan McDonald shooting in order to secure the re-election.[16] Since December 2015, over half of Chicagoans believe that Emanuel should resign with such support from the New York Times, Al Sharpton, Black Lives Matter, U.S senator Bernie Sanders and Illinois governor Bruce Rauner.

Despite growing disapproval ratings, Emanuel announced his candidacy for re-election in the 2019 mayoral race, though there are petitions seeking for a two-term limit for Chicago mayors.[17][18] However, on September 4, 2018, Emanuel reversed this decision and stated he would not seek a third term.[19]

Biden administration[change | change source]

When Joe Biden was elected President of the United States, he wanted to pick Emanuel as the United States Secretary of Transportation.Initially, Emanuel was considered for Transportation secretary in the Biden administration.[20][21] However, many progressives were against this because of his handling of the police shooting of Laquan McDonald.[22][23]

It was reported in February 2021 that Emanuel was being considered by the Biden administration as an ambassador to either China or Japan.[24] In April 2021 it was reported that Biden had chosen him for ambassador to Japan.[25] In May 2021, Biden formally nominated Emmanuel to serve as ambassador to Japan.[26] His nomination was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 18, 2021. He met with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida in February 2022.[27]

Personal life[change | change source]

While a high school student working part-time at an Arby's restaurant, Emanuel severely cut his right middle finger on a meat slicer, which was later infected from swimming in Lake Michigan. His finger was partially amputated due to the severity of the infection.[28]

Emanuel married Amy Merritt Rule in 1994. They have three children. They live in Ravenswood, Chicago.

References[change | change source]

  1. ↑ Hendrix, Steve (2006-10-22). "Fighting for The Spoils". The Washington Post. p. D1. Retrieved 2008-11-18.
  2. ↑ "Feb. 22, 2011 City of Chicago Municipal General Election". Board of Election Commissioners for the City of Chicago. 2011-02-22. Retrieved 2011-02-22.[permanent dead link]
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Bohn, Kevin (February 22, 2011). "Rahm Emanuel wins Chicago mayoral vote". CNN. Retrieved February 23, 2011.
  4. ↑ Baker, Peter and Zeleny, Jeff (2008-11-06). "For Obama, No Time to Bask in Victory As He Starts to Build a Transition Team". New York Times. Retrieved 2008-12-17.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 O'Connor, Patrick and Mike Allen (2008-11-06). "Exclusive: Emanuel accepts White House job". politico.com. Retrieved 2008-12-17.
  6. ↑ http://www.state.il.us/court/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2011/1stDistrict/January/1110033.pdf
  7. ↑ Sophia Tareen,Tammy Webber (2011-01-27). "Ill. high court: Emanuel can run for Chicago mayor". MSNBC. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  8. ↑ "Rahm Emanuel Likely to Leave White House This Week". ABC News.
  9. ↑ Davey, Monica (February 23, 2011). "Chicago, City in Transition, Picks a Big Personality". New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  10. ↑ Sabella, Jen (February 24, 2011). "Rahm Emanuel Transition Team: Picks Two Daley Aides, South Side Minister". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 7, 2012.
  11. ↑ Sabella, Jen (November 16, 2011). "Chicago 2012 Budget Passes Unanimously: Rahm Emanuel's First Budget Breezes Through City Council". The Huffington Post. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  12. ↑ "City Council Approves Mayor Emanuel's First Budget". CBS. November 16, 2011. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  13. ↑ Spielman, Fran (November 13, 2012). "Gay marriage Emanuel's No. 3 priority for Legislature". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  14. ↑ "Mayor, Governor "Very Close" To Deal For Chicago Casino". CBS. November 30, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2012.
  15. ↑ "Rahm Emanuel ducks and dodges in Chicago". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 December 2015.
  16. ↑ Kass, John (November 26, 2015). "If police shooting video had been released sooner, would Emanuel be mayor". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  17. ↑ Hinz, Greg (October 19, 2017). "Emanuel says there's no doubt: He's running again". Crain's Chicago Business. Retrieved 30 January 2018.
  18. ↑ "Former Ill. Gov. Pat Quinn pushing for term limits for Chicago mayor". WGNTV. June 7, 2018.
  19. ↑ 2018 (4 September 2018). "RAHM FOR PREZ? Chicago Mayor Announces He WON'T Run For Re-Election". Daily Wire. Archived from the original on 4 September 2018. Retrieved 5 September 2018. {{cite web}}: |last= has numeric name (help)
  20. ↑ Bowden, John (2020-11-09). "Ocasio-Cortez says Rahm Emanuel would be a 'divisive pick' for Biden Cabinet". TheHill. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  21. ↑ Greenfield, John (2020-11-11). "Rahm was good for transportation, but McDonald coverup disqualifies him for USDOT post". Streetsblog Chicago. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  22. ↑ Byrne, John (2020-11-14). "Secretary Rahm Emanuel? Former Chicago mayor floated for Biden Cabinet spot, but his handling of Laquan McDonald case and 'Mayor 1%' rep remain a drag with progressives". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  23. ↑ Moran, Max (2020-06-08). "Rahm Emanuel, the Worst Man for the Moment". The American Prospect. Retrieved 2020-11-17.
  24. ↑ "Biden eyes Rahm Emanuel for ambassadorship". NBC News. Retrieved 2021-02-02.
  25. ↑ "Biden chooses Rahm Emanuel for ambassadorship to Japan". Washington Post. Retrieved 2021-04-27.
  26. ↑ "Biden expected to tap Rahm Emanuel to Japanese Ambassador". The Hill. May 11, 2021. Retrieved May 11, 2021.
  27. ↑ New Ambassador Rahm Emanuel Meets with Japanese Prime Minister
  28. ↑ Stephey, M.J.; Pickert, Kate (November 6, 2008). "2-min. Bio; Rahm Emanuel". TIME. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved November 20, 2008.

Other websites[change | change source]

Media related to Rahm Emanuel at Wikimedia Commons

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