This is the personal account of
@USAmbJapan
and Chicago's 55th Mayor. Views shared are personal opinions. Follow
@MayorRahm
for an archive of City Hall updates.
First-class friends don’t treat U.S. representatives like second-class citizens. Trump and Bibi are both wrong. While I disagree with Reps. Tlaib and Omar about their views on Israel, they should be allowed to visit.
Congratulations to Brandon Johnson on being elected the 57th mayor of Chicago. It's a job of a lifetime, Brandon. Your success is the Second City’s success—and I am rooting for your success.
Lin Brehmer was the voice of Chicago. His voice was unique and a perfect way to start the day. An ambassador for the city’s music scene and a dear friend, I announced the Uptown music district concept on his show.
I’ll miss hearing his voice on XRT. May his memory be a blessing.
Man cannot live by sushi alone. When in Chicago, order the Mayor’s sandwich and have a corned beef and pastrami sandwich with your mother at
@mannysdeli
like a good Jewish boy.
My final stop before departing for Japan: the Madhouse on Madison to watch the first-place
@ChicagoBulls
. I have visions of another championship banner in the rafters. From Tokyo, I'll be rooting for the Bulls and our city—the only place I’ll ever call home! Thank you, Chicago.
Thank you Chicago for voting earlier this week. The next election is on April 2nd, so mark your calendars now! When you don't vote, you end up with Trump.
It’s been a long journey and a test of endurance to come to today’s groundbreaking, but it’s all worth it—not just the project itself, but the progress that has been made. Thank you President and Mrs. Obama for your vision for Chicago’s South Side.
Few places will embody hope, ignite passion, and inspire renewed commitment to taking action and serving others like the Obama Presidential Center.
Join us tomorrow at 1:15 pm CT as we officially break ground on the site on the South Side of Chicago.
Watching the SCOTUS hearings this week has made it crystal clear that if we're going to protect our Supreme Court we need to
#FlipTheSenate
. But I'm not the only one who thinks Democrats need to win in November—so does
@BarackObama
. Join him tomorrow:
I’m humbled and appreciative of President Biden’s confidence he has placed in me and grateful for the Senate’s bipartisan support, especially from
@SenatorDurbin
and
@SenDuckworth
. Our 60-year-old alliance with Japan promotes peace and prosperity. (1/3)
It is an honor to be nominated by President Biden and to be sworn in today by Judge Aspen as U.S. Ambassador to Japan, and join the distinguished list of great Americans who have preceded me in this post. (1/2)
I have been tested for COVID and my results are negative. Sending my care and concern for those who have recently tested positive in the White House, President’s circle and across the country for a full and speedy recovery.
From a past mayor to our new mayor, congratulations,
@Brandon4Chicago
, on Day 1. Mr. Mayor, you understand the challenges of Chicago are no match for the character of the people of Chicago. It's your time to lead, and I'm rooting hard for your success.
@chicagosmayor
Pete Souza was always there, even when President Obama and I had a snowball fight, bringing a little Chicago life to Washington. We need Pete's viewpoint more than ever, not just behind the lens, but in front of it. Go see this movie.
#TheWayISeeIt
Amy and I would like to thank everyone—friends, family and former patients of my dad—for the outpouring of warmth and love to our family over the last several days. Thank you for keeping us in your hearts.
Hey
@MarkMeadows
, friendly advice from one Chief of Staff to another. Your boss is President for all of America, not just those who voted for him. But thanks for being honest in how he views his job and how you view yours.
WATCH:
@MarkMeadows
says “Donald Trump’s America is peaceful” after deadly shootings in Kenosha and Portland.
#MTP
@chucktodd
: “You’re saying these are all Democratic cities ... does the president not believe he has responsibility of governing and leading the entire country?"
Hope and unity in our common destiny is restored. Congratulations President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris on this historic day for our country.
You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts. Proud to have been Clinton’s point person in securing the assault weapons ban passage. As the nation prepares to debate the merits of gun control legislation, let’s remind opponents of the facts.
of the 40 deadliest US mass shootings since 1949 (8 or more people killed):
--7 occurred in the 10 years before US enacted assault weapons ban
--2 occurred in the 10 years assault weapons ban was in effect
--26 have occurred in the 15 years since assault weapons ban expired
Amy and I joined
@AldermanHarris
and her team to help clean up damage in the South Shore neighborhood at 79th and Stony Island following this weekend's events. We are all in this together. May our city and nation become safer, stronger and more equitable for all who call it home.
Let’s keep supporting our
#HealthcareHeroes
! Delivering
@mannysdeli
to healthcare workers at
@RushMedical
and
@AdvocateHealth
Masonic Medical Center this morning. Stay strong and thank you for continuing to save lives and care for Chicago during these tough times.
As Ambassador, I will work tirelessly to deepen our ties as our countries confront common challenges. While Chicago will always be home, Amy and I look forward to this next chapter in Japan. (3/3)
Senator John McCain, Veteran, father, husband, maverick, and devoted public servant, is gone but will live on through the countless number of lives he and his good work touched. My thoughts are with Cindy and his family.
I first got to know
@POTUS
when I was in the Clinton White House with
@SecBlinken
. I’m proud to call President Biden a dear friend and serve as his
@USAmbJapan
. It's an honor to join him in Hiroshima for the
#G7
and meetings with
@kishida230
.
It was great to meet with Prime Minister Kishida again to advance cooperation on the challenges facing our nations and globe.
We’re strengthening our partnerships on technology, clean energy, and our supply chains – and our economies and people will be better off for it.
Six years ago President Obama and Chicago embarked on a journey to find a home for his presidential center. And soon
@barackobama
will break ground on a groundbreaking investment that will benefit the South Side, the City of Chicago and the entire country.
Mayors past & present! Thanks for welcoming me home,
@ChicagosMayor
. From education to economics, we both believe Chicago’s partnership with Japan creates greater possibility & prosperity, building off of
@UChicago
’s quantum computing success. Hoping to host you in Tokyo soon.
Met with U.S. ambassador to Japan, former Chicago mayor
@rahmemanuel
today to discuss opportunities to grow Chicago’s economy, especially emerging partnership between Japan’s tech sector and our world class universities. Thank you Ambassador Emanuel for your continued leadership.
We’ve lost a great one, Fritzie Fritzshall, a survivor of Auschwitz and the Holocaust, who not only showed her character by surviving, but in dedicating her life’s work to education about one of humankind’s greatest atrocities through
@ihmec
. Thank you Fritzie.
#NeverForget
Today marks the 5th anniversary of the
#ParisAgreement
. When the outgoing president dropped the mantle of leadership on climate change, Chicagoans stepped up. The City That Works kept working to close coal plants, curb carbon emissions & create a greener future.
Chemistry is among the most important factors to a ticket's electoral success. When it comes to choosing his running mate, Joe Biden, a former VP himself, will select the person he admires most, trusts most deeply and gets along with best.
Most importantly, it strengthens our shared democratic values. What we build in partnership over the next three years will determine America’s posture over the next 30 years in the Indo-Pacific region. (2/3)
Media: Let Trump and Biden fight the campaign on a level playing field, and let the voters make their own judgments as to who has the capacity, competence and character to lead the country forward.
Happy Thanksgiving from Amy and me to everyone across Chicago! We wish you a harvest of good health and good times as we gather to reflect on the blessings of the past year.
There’s no substitute for federal leadership. If we’re going to make sure that future pandemics do not automatically precipitate an economic depression, Washington needs to step up and be the national leader we expect and need.
Pres. Biden's
#AmericanFamiliesPlan
will provide universal Pre-K and 2 years of free community college across the nation—an idea that Chicago implemented through the STAR Scholarship and universal Pre-K. No better way to ensure everyone has a chance at the American dream.
The completion of O’Hare’s runway project sets the foundation for
#ORD21
modernization. O’Hare ensures that the world comes to Chicago, and Chicago reaches the world—upholding our global city status now and into the future. Thanks to the workers who made this possible.
Let’s make sure this crisis doesn’t go to waste. This should be the last time a public health emergency provokes an economic depression. We need to prepare for tomorrow—by investing in our public health, infrastructure & supply chain. Stay safe & healthy.
Today's the 5th anniversary of the Whole Foods-anchored Englewood Square, key to eliminating a food desert in Chicago's South Side and spurring similar grocery stores in South Shore, Woodlawn & Bronzeville. Congrats Coleman family and Englewood residents on their grit and vision.
On Friday we delivered lunch to our frontline healthcare workers at
@SinaiChicago
. Today Amy and I are proud to support
@ErieFamHealth
, a great community healthcare provider, during this time of need. Let's all find ways to say thank you to our
#HealthcareHeroes
.
Karen Lewis was a tough and tireless champion for public education and for Chicago’s children, one who was never afraid to fight for what she believed in.
There are giants who shape and make history. I had a unique chance to work with Harry Reid and to learn from him. It’s an honor to call him my friend. I miss you, Harry.
Every child in every neighborhood deserves an early education. New research shows that following our quality investments in 2013 to expand equitable access to full-day Pre-K, Black students & those from low-income households were 3x more likely to enroll.
Thanks to all the healthcare workers and first responders at Stroger Hospital
@CookCtyHealth
for doing double duty to respond to both the COVID pandemic and the weekend's violence. Delivering food from Justice of the Pies, a
#ChicagoNOF
recipient that feeds the body and the soul.
Today's
#SCOTUS
decision is a big win for
#DACA
& Chicago STAR Scholarship Dreamer students, who can go about their studies free from fear. It’s also the second win in the courts for Chicago’s immigrant & refugee policies, with welcoming city status being the first. Go Dreamers!
#SCOTUS
rules against Trump administration in challenge to decision to end
#DACA
program, which allowed noncitizens brought to this country illegally as children to apply for protection from deportation, holding decision was arbitrary and capricious
Today marks the five-year anniversary of
@Chicago_Police
Commander Paul Bauer’s murder. Let us remember his service and sacrifice on behalf of Chicago—a life of bravery, decency, and integrity. May Grace and Erin be in our prayers.
Nixon interfered with the South Vietnamese peace talks in 1968 to win the presidency. It foreshadowed Watergate and the corruption of his administration. Donald Trump is doing the same thing as we speak. We can’t ignore the lessons of our past.
Democrats should strike a more vivid contrast by setting Trump’s divisiveness against our belief that America is far more than the sum of her disagreements.
Congratulations Chicago for being named the Best Big City in the U.S. for the 3rd straight year by
@CNTraveler
readers! Thanks for choosing Chicago once again and confirming what we know to be true.
#SecondtoNone
Joining Pastor James Brooks and his wife Jackie of Harmony Community Church’s weekly peace gathering tonight in North Lawndale. Thanks for bringing families together to call for a peaceful summer & an end to gun violence in our city, and give our kids the love & safety they need.
Thank you to all of the volunteers who turned out from across the city today. In case I missed seeing you, there's still time sign up at .
#ChicagoTogether
Shout-out to former Mayor
@RahmEmanuel
. Was at this Jewel last night. It was packed, but well stocked. A population that 2 years ago would have been really scrambling to find food and supplies in this kind of panic was well served. Kudos to him
Timuel Black's life not only bookended a century, but he wrote the book on it, literally, through Bridges of Memory & Sacred Ground. He wrote history; he witnessed history; and he willed history into being through actions large and small. May Chicago's beloved son rest in peace.
I look forward to building on the traditions they set and ensuring that America’s ideals and interests in the region remain paramount, while strengthening the ties between our two nations. (2/2)
Congrats to the Pullman community on turning an empty lot into a brand new community center that will anchor the neighborhood and host the Amateur Athletic Union.
@TheRealAAU
Proud that Chicago is, and continues to be, the most welcoming city in America for immigrants and refugees. Now let’s win our battle in the courts to defend our nation’s values.
Congrats
@ChiPubSchools
on achieving the highest graduation rate and lowest dropout rate on record, with 36% growth since 2012. Great work to students, teachers, principals and parents. Chicago students proved the naysayers wrong. NYC and LA, game on!
The 7th Circuit’s ruling is a big win for welcoming cities & affirms Chicago’s original Welcoming City Ordinance. Chicago will always be welcoming to immigrants who believe in the American Dream. It’s illegal to withdraw federal support for cities that stand up for their values.
The Trump administration cannot yank federal funds from Chicago because it prohibits officers from cooperating with federal immigration agents in most cases, the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Thursday.
While we often found ourselves on different sides of the debate, I grew to have enormous respect for Karen and our regular conversations were a benefit to me and to the City of Chicago. May her memory be a blessing.
When Charlottesville marchers spewed anti-Semitism, through his silence
@realDonaldTrump
was disloyal to American values. As an American Jew, I will never be loyal to someone of his character. My Jewish education taught me that.
#DisloyaltoTrump