Trump calls Emanuel, seeks counsel on presidential transitions

[Stellar]

Even as he was reassuring anxious immigrants and reaffirming Chicago’s status as a sanctuary city, Mayor Rahm Emanuel was counseling President-elect Donald Trump about White House transitions after participating in two of them.

The mayor acknowledged that Monday, disclosing that Trump called him some time over the last two weeks to get Emanuel’s sage advice about the transition of power from one president to another.

“We talked about a host of things, a host of issues. I’m also not a shrinking violet. I think we can say that,” Emanuel told reporters after groundbreaking ceremonies for the revamped Theater-on-the-Lake in Lincoln Park.

“I’ve been very clear about what is important for the city and what our values are–not just as a city, but as a country. Not only am I not a shrinking violet. I’m familiar with being able to speak honestly and frankly with presidents…I was up-front and direct.”

Emanuel was asked whether he would characterize the conversation with Trump as “cordial.” He was reluctant to answer the question directly on grounds that private phone conversations with U.S. Presidents should remain private, “unless they want to talk about it.”

“It could also be, if you do it wrong, the last phone call you have,” Emanuel said.

“That said, I was up-front, honest. We talked about a range of issues. But, I think it’s fair for me at least to characterize that he is obviously quite familiar with my background working in two prior administrations in different roles and also on the transitions…While that was the impetus, we talked about a number of [other] things. I was also clear about what I think is important, what I care about and what I’m willing to speak up about when it comes to our values.”

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