White House Expresses Support for Mayor Rahm Emanuel

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Mayor Emanuel has demonstrated a "personal commitment" to reforming the city's police department

The White House is expressing support for Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel as he struggles with the fallout from the fatal police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald.

White House spokesman Josh Earnest says Emanuel has demonstrated a "personal commitment" to reforming the city's police department.

Mayor Emanuel fired Chicago Police Supt. Garry McCarthy on Tuesday and announced the formation of a task force to study police accountability.

The changes come in response to the aftermath of the release of a 2014 video showing officer Jason Van Dyke shooting McDonald 16 times.

Van Dyke is charged with first-degree murder. He posted a $1.5 million bond on Monday.

The case has sparked protests and calls for Emanuel's resignation.

Earnest says President Barack Obama has seen the video, but he declined to describe the president's reaction. He says Obama does not want to appear to be interfering in a potential federal investigation.

Emanuel served as Obama's first chief of staff.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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