Rahm Emanuel may be preparing for another chapter in a political career that has already taken him from the Clinton and Obama administrations to Congress, Chicago City Hall, and the U.S. Embassy in Japan.

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The longtime Democrat has increasingly signaled interest in seeking his party’s 2028 presidential nomination. As speculation grows, Emanuel’s decades in government—and the controversies that accompanied them—offer a preview of the record voters could be asked to consider if he ultimately enters the race.

From The National Pulse:

In a September interview with Rolling Stone, Emanuel said he was “more yes than no” about a potential 2028 presidential run, and has spent just over a year laying the groundwork with podcast appearances on shows like Honestly with CBS News head Bari Weiss and The New Yorker Radio Hour. He has also published several policy papers over the last year, including one suggesting age limits for political office and banning children under 16 from social media.

Polling, however, shows Emanuel is far from the favorite among Democrats. Raheem Kassam, Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse, has previously suggested an ulterior motive for his shadow campaign: Not to win the nomination, but to secure another top spot in the next Democratic presidential regime, possibly as Vice President.

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Unlike many of the more popular socialist contenders for the Democrat leadership, such as New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani or Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Emanuel has never shied away from corporate America, having banked over $18 million in just three years as a Wall Street investment banker after leaving the Clinton administration.

Emanuel’s political résumé stretches back decades. After serving in the Clinton White House and working in investment banking, he won election to Congress before becoming President Barack Obama’s chief of staff. He later served two terms as mayor of Chicago and, under President Joe Biden, became U.S. ambassador to Japan. His long career has generally placed him within the more business-friendly wing of the Democratic Party, at times putting him at odds with progressive Democrats.

His years in Chicago were marked by significant controversy. Thousands of shootings and murders occurred during his mayoralty, while his administration faced intense scrutiny over the police shooting of 17-year-old Laquan McDonald. Dashcam footage showing an officer shooting McDonald 16 times was withheld from the public for more than a year before a judge ordered its release. Emanuel’s administration had previously agreed to a $5 million settlement with McDonald’s family.

Emanuel returned to government when President Biden nominated him as ambassador to Japan in 2021. Now back in the United States, he has been publishing policy proposals, making media appearances, and openly discussing the possibility of seeking the presidency. Whether he ultimately launches a campaign remains uncertain, but his activity has placed him among the many Democrats already maneuvering ahead of 2028.

Emanuel’s early polling numbers remain low. In a September Echelon Insights survey of Democratic and Democratic-leaning voters, Emanuel received less than one percent when respondents were asked whom they would support if the 2028 Democratic presidential primary were held today. With such low polling, the Pulse suggests that Emanuel may not even be trying to win the nomination. Rather, the Pulse suggests, he may be slyly maneuvering to secure a top spot in the next Democratic administration.

For intercessors, the early activity surrounding the next presidential race is a reminder that potential national leaders are often positioning themselves years before voters cast their ballots. Emanuel’s long record also underscores why we should look carefully at the histories, policies, and governing records of those seeking greater authority. Let’s pray for discernment among Americans, for truth and accountability throughout the political process, and for leaders who will govern with wisdom, integrity, and a genuine concern for the people they serve.

Share your prayers and scriptures for America’s present and future leaders in the comments.

(Excerpt from The National Pulse. Photo Credit: LBJ Library photo by Jay Godwin)