Jussie Smollett Case: Prosecutor Firmly Stands By Decision To Drop Charges

Ever since Jussie Smollett’s charges were dropped against him, Chicago State’s Attorney Kim Foxx has been facing serious backlash for her office’s decision. In an op-ed she wrote earlier this month, she partially placing the blame on the Chicago Mayor and Chicago PD Superintendent’s press run while explaining why she dismissed Smollett’s charges. She recently addressed the criticism she’s been facing during an emotional speech at Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s event this weekend.

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Many have called for Kim Foxx to resign from her position as State’s Attorney but she won’t fold under pressure. During a speech at Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr.’s Rainbow Push Coalition, she doubled down on her decision to dismiss the charges against Smollett, explaining that she’s treated the case the same way she did for thousands of other defendants with similar charges that were dropped.

“The efforts that I’ve had on criminal-justice reform, that were once celebrated by many in this county, are now being attacked because of one case and one celebrity,” she said. “I cannot run an office that is driven by anger and public sentiment.”

Foxx also suggested that race might play a factor in the amount of criticism she’s been facing, including calls for her resignation.

 “I have been asking myself for the last two weeks what is this really about,” she said. “As someone who has lived in this city, who came up in the projects of this city to serve as the first African American woman in this role, it is disheartening to me … that when we get in these positions somehow the goalposts change,” she continued.  “This is personal.”