In a city this violent, Mayor Lightfoot’s outburst against Justice Thomas constitutes a grave dereliction of duty – Wirepoints

By: Matt Rosenberg

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot recently disgraced herself and the office she holds by shouting to a crowd in Grant Park, “F*** Clarence Thomas.” She then doubled down on Twitter with a smirking picture, saying, “I said what I said.” She was referring to the U.S. Supreme Court justice who had authored an opinion supporting the court majority in overturning Roe v. Wade.

Here’s the problem: Chicago already suffers from a serious problem with the hair-trigger temperament of too many of its citizens. Tragically but repeatedly they settle their difference with guns and knives over the most trivial things – often at the cost of human lives. So it ill-behooves Mayor Lightfoot to lose control of her emotions and demeanor while representing her city and her office in a public appearance.

The issue of executive temperament is crucial and unfortunately in the case of Lightfoot, it is not a new concern. The devolution of her standing, her standards, and public behavior has been plain and disturbing to see. The pressure of the job has turned a dignified and qualified public servant into a jeering partisan who cannot manage the bracing challenge of managing a city exploding into violent dysfunction.

Lightfoot is a University of Chicago law grad. She was an experienced federal prosecutor, then a high-level manager who’d been assigned important portfolios in previous city administrations. She was also a sharp, on-point campaigner in 2019 who triumphed in the mayoral contest with a finely-honed message about fighting corruption, insiderism and ethical decay in a city famous for its officialdom’s poor judgment. 

But with the onset of Covid and rampant rioting and looting after George Floyd’s death, Lightfoot quickly devolved to potty-mouthed talk and then to scapegoating “systemic racism” for the city’s dispiriting deadly violence. 

The fact is: the slow-rolling black-on-black genocide that has unfolded in Chicago during the Lightfoot Years has its roots in failed anger management. So the mayor herself should set a much better example.

A black Chicagoan named Rahmaan Barnes whom I met and profiled here at Wirepoints explained exactly what’s going on. Speaking of Chicago’s debilitating violent crime, including murders which in 2021 reached a 25-year high, he said, “You cling on to anything because you have no code, no future, you don’t see a future for yourself. So therefore you start feuds over miniscule things. You start having five-dollar arguments. You shoot a person because you couldn’t cut in front of them in traffic. That’s hot, delusional entitlement right there.”

It doesn’t help if the city’s highest elected official cannot control her own anger. In fact, it materially hurts. And to be clear, this is far from the first time Lightfoot has lost it. 

Reacting to controversial tweets by then-President Donald Trump after rioting in Minneapolis in 2020, she said her message to him “starts with F and ends with you.” 

Challenged by aldermen over a loss of public order in Chicago right after George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, she told one who pressed for an answer that he was “100 percent full of s***.” 

To an attorney working on behalf of the Chicago Park District, in a dispute over briefly reversing the removal of a Christopher Columbus statue, she allegedly went on a vulgar rampage about genitalia: “you d*cks, what the f*** were you thinking? You make some kind of secret agreement with the Italians, what are you doing, you are out there measuring your d*cks with the Italians seeing who’s got the biggest d*ck…I am trying to keep the Chicago Police officers from being shot and you are trying to get them shot. My d*ck is bigger than yours and the Italians, I have the biggest d*ck in Chicago. Where did you go to law school? Did you even go to law school?” 

To aides whom she felt had failed to understand her need for daily planning time, she launched a harsh, mocking, demeaning and lengthy email.

She also announced at her first term’s two-year mark she would only grant interviews on that topic to non-white reporters

She has also said that “99 percent” of the criticism directed at her is because she is black and female. 

In a city riven by death and maiming – a deeply reprehensible sort of mayhem stemming from the indulgence of hair-triggered instincts among some of the populace – Lightfoot’s inflammatory words constitute a grave dereliction of duty. 

That anger management is a grave concern in Chicago is demonstrated by violence prevention programs including one called “Becoming A Man.” They have used something called cognitive behavioral therapy, or CBT, to help young black men better understand the need to keep a cool head when they are provoked. 

The University of Chicago Crime Lab described the problem this way: “The majority of homicides in Chicago stem from altercations that turn into tragedies because someone overreacts to a provocation. Often the provocation seems quite minor, while the response seems very impulsive—almost automatic.”

Yes, that sounds all too familiar. “Losing it” is commonplace for Chicago’s violent young killers, and in a different but also very harmful fashion, to Chicago’s highest elected official.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot sets an exceedingly poor example. Chicago deserves better.

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John
1 year ago

You’re right Mayor Lightfoot sets a poor example of anger management for the City.

I’d add any Mayor is a city’s public face. It’s a truism in politics that mayors portray moderation. When Lightfoot yells “F*ck Clarence Thomas!”, she’s portraying Chicago as an angry, profane, and intolerant place. Chicago constantly competes with other places for tourists, conventions, corporate headquarters, and average people looking for a city to move to. All agree Chicago’s downtown is in economic trouble. It’s not bright for Lightfoot to make half the country feel deeply unwelcome coming here.

Aaron
1 year ago

You can always tell a democrap by how they act when they don’t get their way.

James
1 year ago
Reply to  Aaron

Just a wild guess here: I’ll bet they react just the same as similarly stressed Republicants.

Bob Out of Here
1 year ago

Hers is bigger than yours, at least until she unstraps it and puts it back in the dresser drawer. Mine is permanently attached.

Doug
1 year ago

Spot on analogy! Her childish tantrums are an embarrassment to this once great city but her her hair triggered outbursts are an even worse example of failed leadership that directly correlates to violent crime. She should be setting a good example of high standards but she has proven over and over that she’s incapable of leadership, competence, class and dignity. Chicago needs and deserves better.

The Kingfish
1 year ago

Makes one yearn for the glory days of Rahm and Daley II

SadStateofAffairs
1 year ago
Reply to  The Kingfish

The job is 24/7/365. Its probably worth the lifetime pension. Its all about managing the day to day. When you burned so many bridges that most of the deputies, chiefs, assistant commissioners, and mid to upper management have retired, resigned, moved to another agency, she is now surrounded by nincompoops who are absolutely pathetic. Reaching Detroit status a lot faster than anyone ever imagined.

Ellen Day
1 year ago

I read your story and I will go on record to say I’m embarrassed for the entire once-great City of Chicago Illinois. Lighfoot doesn’t want to talk about her failures as mayor. Her unprofessional demeanor and searingly filthy mouth are so discouraging. Does Lightfoot ever stop and think that there are children watching and listening to her? She is a mother and should set a better example. Her dislike of the CPD is well known, and yet she and the rest of the progressive, socialist liberals are fixated on abortion. What about crime? Inflation? Taxes? Gasoline prices? Baby formula shortages?… Read more »

SadStateofAffairs
1 year ago

This is just embarrassing. The first few months was filled with so much promise. She was also surrounded by really capable people. Eventually, she drove them to seek other jobs and this crazy dictator went ballistic on everyone, like a raging lunatic. Then came more resignations, then George Floyd, then the rampant criminals destroying the city. Progressive Marxist like her and the others have hidden their true intentions when they run, when they win they change into the radicals they really are with zero regard for the citizens they serve. We must not continue to vote for these idiots. Absolutely… Read more »

Mark Felt
1 year ago

Lightfoot, look into the mirror when you wonder why so many people in the black community turn to violence.

BeaHive
1 year ago

When she was elected, while I didn’t support her, I gave her the benefit of the doubt and hoped she would be a breath of fresh air, a change from the years of corruption and/or ineptness in City Hall. I think she has had more than enough time to get things under control and she has shown us who she really is. In my opinion, she is inept and a failure and a bigot. She is not a good administrator and she really doesn’t care about the average citizens or neighborhoods of Chicago. She doesn’t care about the first responers,… Read more »

Pat S.
1 year ago

Mayor Lightfoot reinforces the belief that the black community has a culture of violence.

With her it’s verbal violence, with some young blacks it’s violence and mayhem.

All blacks? Of course not, but too many buy into the hopeless victimization narrative that’s being fed to them by politicians, media, and substandard public education.

M.H. D.
1 year ago

When today SCOTUS swaps one member for another, consider what could have happened if Biden had appointed Lightfoot instead. A Supreme Court trifecta! A female, a black, and a
lesbian, wow! Only missing quality is disability. Gets her out of Chicago to work her destructive wiles on the banks of the Potomac. Just a diverse thought for the day.

Bob
1 year ago

Leadership starts at the top and she has no clue what it’s all about. She once called for the Firing of a Chicago Cop for giving the finger to a Demonstrator who called him a PIG-The message is “I can be as Vulgar as I want when I see fit but you better not.” This article is the only one I could find in Chicago that actually called her out for what she is. If you cannot add to the argument or the discussion then yea! “I CAN RESORT TO SLANDER” BUT YOU BETTER NOT”-Another chapter in the Delusional leadership… Read more »

Last edited 1 year ago by Bob
Jaelilana
1 year ago

Can we have her removed from office already??!!

Joey Zamboni
1 year ago

During my days as a hockey referee, especially doing HS games, I found that the coaches who were *out of control* behind the bench, had players who acted the same on the ice…

Whether you like it or not, or believe it or not, leadership matters, at all levels…

Leaders are on top of the hill, & their decisions directly affect us in the valley…

SUE
1 year ago

GET RID OF THIS CREEP……….DISGUSTING DISPLAY……CHILDISH………SICKENING AND HAS NO PLACE BEING IN ANY PUBLIC OFFICE IN MY OPINION

Steve Hammer
1 year ago

Thank you for exposing the hypocrisy and shallowness of Chicago’s woke CEO. Sadly Chicagoans continue to vote for leaders such as Lightfoot who check all of the Progressive boxes while sadly proving mediocre leaders at best.

LGBFJB
1 year ago
Reply to  Steve Hammer

Mediocre is being too kind.

debtsor
1 year ago

I read some comment on another blog (that’s my accreditation for this thought that is not my own) but basically it this: In a post-St. George Floyd world, gangbangers carry guns because they are not worried about being caught. They start drinking/smoking weed, and when they get upset, they lose control, and impulsively start shooting. The solution is so easy but so politically dangerous: charge gangbangers with gun crimes and lock them up. Stop and frisk in NY in the 90’s and 2000’s make gangbangers afraid of carrying guns, and shootings dropped massively, because without a gun in their waistband,… Read more »

Linda
1 year ago

She is a disgrace to her job and city. Don’t know how these radical, evil leftest keep getting elected! Power of the woke, biased main stream media and the failure of people to look beyond their rhetoric.

M.H. D.
1 year ago

As a Chicagoan-in-exile who resides in Ohio, I’ll repeat yet again that Lightfoot or Ghetto Girl, given her foul mouth, may be IN Chicago but she is not OF Chicago. She’s from Massillon, OH, near Canton, OH, better known for its high school football teams. Not many Chicago-style ghettos in Massillon; perhaps she picked up the lingo while attending UC Law, which is on the South Side. [By the way, another UC Law grad is Liz Chaney.] She’s certainly benefitted from playing the “diversity” card, benefitting no one but herself. Like Obummer, she knows zip about the city, Cook County,… Read more »

JimBob
1 year ago
Reply to  M.H. D.

When an opportunity meets an opportunist how does Darwinism work?

M.H. D.
1 year ago
Reply to  JimBob

Chicago has a front row seat.

Eugene from a payphone
1 year ago
Reply to  M.H. D.

Time to self identify as a Buckeye!

James Watkins
1 year ago

Depending on one’s worldview, Lori Lightfoot is either mentally ill or infested with demons. And that was obvious before she was elected. Chicagoans apparently did not care. I was stunned at the time that my fellow citizens would elect such a troubled person. That said, your article is excellent. In particular, you cut to the heart of the matter with these words: “Chicago already suffers from a serious problem with the hair-trigger temperament of too many of its citizens. Tragically but repeatedly they settle their difference with guns and knives over the most trivial things – often at the cost of human lives. So… Read more »

Jay
1 year ago

I was actually a supporter of Mayor Lightfoot during her campaign. She appeared smart, hip, and up to the massive challenge. That support ceased after those riots of 2020, when young hoods drove their SUV’s to the Mag Mile and basically set up shop looting & hauling their ill-gotten booty to the vehicles & drove away like ti was a trip to the mall. Richard J. the 1st may have once said ‘shoot to maim’, but it would have been simple (and lawful, by the way) for the coppers to shoot out the tires on the SUV’s. As Sonny said… Read more »

Andy
1 year ago

Matt, This is the problem in this Country it is not only the anger people have when they disagree, but the lack of respect for people and traditional institutions. You know we used to respect the our elected officials, clergy, and of course the judiciary, now we respect none of them. I understand being from Illinois not respecting elected officials. However in the last few years I have watched people show disrespect for the people of faith, because they don’t believe in their same beliefs. I thought that was what made this country great is that we can all be… Read more »

1 year ago
Reply to  Andy

Thank you, Andy. I could not agree more. It’s crucial everybody understand the role of the judiciary and if they disagree with a particular ruling, fine. Read it, understand it, and attempt to rebut it intelligently.

Bill Edley
1 year ago

Chicago Mayor’s poor behavior doesn’t backfire only in Chicago. Downstate Dems feel the heat, as well. Key Passage: Here’s the problem: Chicago already suffers from a serious problem with the hair-trigger temperament of too many of its citizens. Tragically but repeatedly they settle their difference with guns and knives over the most trivial things – often at the cost of human lives. So it ill-behooves Mayor Lightfoot to lose control of her emotions and demeanor while representing her city and her office in a public appearance. The issue of executive temperament is crucial and unfortunately in the case of Lightfoot,… Read more »

Ex Illini
1 year ago
Reply to  Bill Edley

I’m not sure the pressure of the job turned her into a jeering partisan, it simply revealed her true character.

George
1 year ago

Great read and so spot on on every level
I’ve been thru mayors ranging from Richard J to Lightfoot. To say she’s the worst would be an understatement. She’s no Byrne or Harold or anyone else for that matter
A total embarrassment to once a great proud city

Chisel
1 year ago

Remember Lightfoot garnered 17.5 percent of the vote in 2019, we can’t exactly call her “The peoples choice”. She is way over her head, blaming criticism on racism and homophobia. Thinking of an old episode of Taxi cab confessions. A young African American man expounded on his belief that Black people always are confrontational, as in asking another AA, “what you lookin at”. He said if we could get over those issues we would be unstoppable. She is displaying that same attitude to anyone that questions her performance. I can’t imagine she sleeps well at night, knowing how disappointing and… Read more »

Silverfox
1 year ago

LL and her partner are the parents of an adopted child, I believe.  Do you suppose they allow her to see her parent ranting and cursing like this?  Or maybe the child has gotten used to this at home?

Bobbi
1 year ago

Time for the voters in Chicago to wake up, and do away with that same old crowd. How much do we need to see- every aspect of government functions are terrible. But, we have seen this for decades, and keep going back for more. Hey, wait- Danny Davis goes back to DC- all you need to know about Chicago voters.

David Pearling
1 year ago

With all due respect Matt, I disagree with the last line of your essay. You state that Chicago deserves better, better than its reprehensible pig of a mayor. No it does not. Chicago is getting exactly what it deserves. It’s people have for decades voted in and re-elected some of the city’s most disgusting scum. That’s on them. Of course, Chicago’s lap-dog presstocricy is leading its slide into hell. Its print and broadcast media routinely prop up, support, and endorse the political creeps. Most of the staff of these outlets are nitwits who do little more than parrot each other’s… Read more »

SadStateofAffairs
1 year ago
Reply to  David Pearling

Right on point. Sad but true. Already in North Texas since February.

Riverbender
1 year ago

LOLin here at one of the usual
illinois posters.
Good luck!

Rod McCulloch
1 year ago

Her immaturity is much more in line with an 8th grade juvenile not a Mayor. Disgraceful

Molly
1 year ago

Lightfoot doesn’t belong in elective office, and is using Dobbs and Trump as manipulative distractions from that fact. Great piece.

Last edited 1 year ago by Molly
Tom Sexton
1 year ago

I hope she is never close to a seat of power when her term ends. The Chicago Voters need to do much better. No respectable leader acts like this.

Isaac Meyer
1 year ago

It’s crazy that the once great Chicago allowed a Gauleiter to be chosen as mayor.

The Paraclete
1 year ago
Reply to  Isaac Meyer

She and her inner circle, Lori and Herself will soon adorn themselves with a gorget to indicate her superior status. The badge of the Gaulieter.

Isaac Meyer
1 year ago

Lori is a closeted bigot outed for who she is. She despises men and white people in general. She despises Police. In spite of her Law Degree, she has a low respect for the laws. She hasn’t offered one solution to the Killing Fields of Chicago. She needs to be removed from office by judicial order. Small people, the children, deserve to grow up in safety.

Allen Taloff
1 year ago

I was going to post my opinion on the words and actions of lightfoot. BUT, Whatever I would say would not be seen by lightfoot.

I have one thing to say about her that I find hilarious about lightfoot.

This incident happened during the riots downtown. There is a picture of a police officer flipping some demonstrator off. Her response was to have that officer fired and in her words “held accountable.” I’d like to know, where is her accountability. This person has caused many to say they are ashamed to admit being from Chicago.

Bobbi
1 year ago
Reply to  Allen Taloff

Great point.

Chisel
1 year ago
Reply to  Allen Taloff

The old “Do as I say, not as I do” slogan come to mind.

Jerald L Dyson
1 year ago

Nailed it once again. Continually alibiing for criminals, with no compassion whatsoever for victims is normal for the Left…unless of course a cop kills someone in the line of duty, and only then does anyone care about the victim…even an abusive, bad guy with a rap sheet a mile long. Yet, Hollywood makes millions glorifying violence…and over-zealous cops. The rhetoric of politicians on the left encourages violent reaction…and anyone with the temerity to defend themselves is pilloried in the press. In this country now, it is the criminals and illegal aliens who have the rights, and it is the Citizens… Read more »

John Hartness
1 year ago

For a person who takes every opportunity to degrade Trump, she sure likes to emulate him in the anger department. I doubt she can reach the steering wheel but bet she can hurl ketchup at a wall. It better be Heinz ketchup though. Gotta keep John Kerry and his wife happy.

James Stramaglia
1 year ago

I call her “Mayor Miserable” because it appears to me that Lori Lightfoot is a joyless person. I have never seen her display lighthearted moments in public. Part of leadership is to bring along (or attempt to) opposing players to your side. She is not capable of doing that. Currently, there is an individual who is excellent at doing just that. That is GOP Lieutenant Governor candidate Stephanie Trussell. She uses her homespun charm and is adept at self-deprecation to make her points. Ironically, she grew up on the West Side of Chicago who was born to a teenage mother.… Read more »

GM
1 year ago

The only time I saw Lightfoot even crack a smile was when she introduced ‘The Census Cowboy” to the press – remember that, lol…!!!???

Donna S
1 year ago

Does anyone even think about what true leadership means anymore? It’s such a rare commodity these days.

Old Spartan
1 year ago

Excellent analysis, Matt. Very few people focus on the impact of symbolism associated with words, actions and appearance of public officials. The conduct of those officials sets the tone not only for government employees and institutions, but for everyone in the city who observes them. She is crude, vulgar and obviously short tempered, and that code of conduct is on display whenever you see or hear her lately. It impacts the daily lives of citizens in the same way that a calming, thoughtful and caring message can help a population calm down. Almost everywhere in the private sector her type… Read more »

John
1 year ago

There was a comment made my someone I (do not want to misquote) “Everyone wants to be a Firefighter, until You have to actually do Firefighter Stuff!” Our Mayor wants to be Mayor but cannot do the Mayoral Stuff. She’s over her head. I hope and Pray the next Mayor will put the City and its Citizen’s First.

David Zalig
1 year ago

Hi, I worked for Lori during her historic campaign for Mayor. I usually give the Mayor the benefit of the dought. For a first term elected official, I will give her a B grade. Having to deal with a global pandemic, corrupt alderman yelling at her a city council meetings, she’s had it tough. The city needs a change though, and will be supporting Paul Vallas.

Jeffrey Carter
1 year ago
Reply to  David Zalig

you are an easy grader.

Silverfox
1 year ago
Reply to  Jeffrey Carter

Mr. Zalig may be an easy grader, but apparently learns from his mistakes. Yes, I think we need to replace our foul-mouthed Mayor asap.

Rick
1 year ago

She’s a Captain Queeg. Probably has a couple ball bearings in her pocket that she fiddles with. She must know that everyone she works with must be either scared $hitless, lost their respect, or just giggles.

(166) The Caine Mutiny (1954) – Paranoid Breakdown Scene (8/9) | Movieclips – YouTube

Last edited 1 year ago by Rick
Chisel
1 year ago
Reply to  Rick

Is it ball bearings, or her huge appendage she is fiddling with?

Agatha
1 year ago

Chicago got what it voted for. A vulgar unhinged nutter who cares nothing about the children dying daily on her streets. I can’t imagine a worse person to hold any office anywhere.

Grant Davies
1 year ago

When you choose an elected official because they are not someone else, or because they are black, female, gay, or any different reason other than competence, you get what you voted for. Some one who is themself, is black, female and gay. What you don’t get is a competent executive. “Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.”― H.L. Mencken

Neil Chernoff
1 year ago

Lori Lightfoot is the Mayor of the City of Chicago. That is her domain. Abortion will not change in Chicago regardless of the Court’s ruling. Illinois state law already allows it regardless of the Supreme Court ruling. Abortion is not what she is angry about. It is about the idea that gay marriage may be subject to challenge per Thomas and that affects her directly. However, even if Obergfell fell at some future date, gay marriage would still be legal in Chicago under existing Illinois laws. Nothing is changing in Chicago and that is her domain. Chicago has so many… Read more »

1 year ago
Reply to  Neil Chernoff

Very salient points about jurisdictional reach and limits, and about what is effectively settled law here in Illinois. You peel away her real motivations, methinks. Thanks for the insights.

ProzacPlease
1 year ago
Reply to  Neil Chernoff

Yes, there is some attempt at deflection involved, but I think the main conclusion to draw from her behavior is that she is reflecting the culture and values of the far-left progressives. She’s not an aberration; she is prototypical of that crew.

Donna S
1 year ago
Reply to  Neil Chernoff

Yes, distract, distract, virtue signal, and then distract some more…

Joey Zamboni
1 year ago
Reply to  Neil Chernoff

We see the same type of leadership in the WH…

The Paraclete
1 year ago

I suspect Lori might be a lunatic…….Or it’s her fedora. Whenever she wears it she goes bugshtnuts. Maybe she thinks we don’t recognize her, it makes her look taller!

Greg Karraker
1 year ago

99 per cent of the criticism directed at Lightfoot is not because she is female and black. It is because she is an abject failure as a leader, for refusing to address the root cause of gang violence… a culture that celebrates drugs, illiteracy, and zero parental responsibility.

Silverfox
1 year ago

Outstanding. Thank you. Yes, LL sets a very, very poor example. She is in dire need of an anger management course. Her hostility is palpable and she does no good service as a role model for anyone, male or female, black or white, gay or straight.

Dan
1 year ago

It’s an absolute shame. A great city, even with all its fixable problems, deserves so much more.

Thanks, Matt, for shining the light.

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