Politics

Week in Review: City Council Blocks Jan. 6 Rioters From City Jobs; Police Misconduct Budget Almost Exhausted

Fed Chair Jerome Powell visits Chicago and warns President Donald Trump’s tariff war could have negative consequences for the economy. Powell said the Federal Reserve will wait for “greater clarity” before cutting interest rates.

Those remarks drew a blistering response from the president, who said Powell — whom he appointed in his first term — was always “too late and wrong” and should be fired.

Former President Joe Biden was also in Chicago to deliver his first major speech since leaving office — and took immediate aim at the Trump administration, accusing it of taking a hatchet to Social Security.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration doubles down on its deportation of a man sent to prison in El Salvador — despite previously calling it a mistake.

The Chicago City Council votes to block participants in the Jan. 6, 2021, attacks on the Capitol from holding city jobs.

Chicago teachers ratify what their union is calling a “historic” contract without a strike vote for the first time in 15 years.

And just four months into the year, Chicago is on the brink of exhausting its annual budget to pay for police misconduct lawsuits.

Guests:

Steve Daniels, Chicago Tribune | @stevedaniels27

Heather Cherone, WTTW News | @HeatherCherone

Elvia Malagón, Chicago Sun-Times | @elviamalagon.bsky.social

Melody Mercado, Block Club Chicago | @melodymercadotv

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