David Axelrod, a former senior advisor to President Barack Obama, has drawn criticism for his account of a 911 call during a recent heat emergency in Chicago. Axelrod stated on social media that a 911 operator initially refused to dispatch help for an unconscious homeless man outside the Art Institute of Chicago.
Axelrod shared his experience, which he characterized as a "heat emergency," on X, formerly Twitter. He described calling 911 after seeing the man unresponsive. According to Axelrod, the operator questioned the need for help, leading him to ask if the operator "owned a mirror."
The remarks quickly generated a strong reaction online, with many users criticizing Axelrod for his post. Critics suggested that he should focus on his own responsibilities or that his commentary was out of touch. Some users also questioned the accuracy of his recollection of the call.
Chicago has experienced extreme heat in recent weeks, with temperatures soaring and posing a significant risk to vulnerable populations, including the homeless. Emergency services in the city have been responding to a high volume of calls related to the heatwave.