Chicago Mayor Apologizes For Calling Police Union Leader 'Clown'

CHICAGO, IL — Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot apologized for calling a police union leader a "clown" during Wednesday's city council meeting, reports say.

As Patrick Murray, the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7's vice president, got up to speak at the meeting, Lightfoot was heard on a hot mic saying "oh, back again. This is this FOP clown."

See the video of the "clown" statement below, obtained from WGN9:

Murray was at the meeting to speak about the FOP's disagreement with a police board decision recommending the firing of police officers accused of taking part in a coverup following the Laquan McDonald shooting.

Lightfoot has been pushing for police reforms, including increased access to mental health resources for Chicago officers.

See more on Patch:

• Laquan McDonald Shooting Witness Doesn't Back Cops' Accounts
• 4 Chicago Cops Fired For Laquan McDonald Cover-Up

The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 7 released a comment on Facebook on Wednesday:

"Mayor Lightfoot’s contemptuous remark is a misguided and dangerous thing to say to a 30-year veteran police officer and FOP representative, particularly at a time when the city is facing such chronic violent crime. It is also telling that the Mayor would not even apologize. The red noses, however, belong on the members of the Chicago Police Board, her former agency, for their despicable decision to fire three police officers and a sergeant last week for no good reason whatsoever."