Jussie Smollett charges dropped: Live updates - CNN

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel took issue with Jussie Smollett telling reporters earlier that he was innocent, while "still running down the Chicago Police Department."

"How dare him? How dare him?" Rahm said.

"This is a person now who has been let off scot-free with no sense of accountability of the moral and ethical wrong of his actions," Emanuel said.

He admonished Smollett for "using hate crime laws that are on the books to protect people who are minorities from violence" only to "turn around and use those laws to advance your career and financial reward."

"Is there no decency in this man?" the mayor said.

What Smollett said: Speaking to reporters earlier today, Smollett described his actions as "truthful."

"I have been truthful and consistent on every single level since day one," he said. "I would not be my mother's son if I was capable of one drop of what I've been accused of."

Watch the moment:

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