Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey is now addressing for the first time Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara’s comment about the city’s “strange ideology.”

during an interview

as reported by the New York Post last week.

O’Hara expressed his astonishment at the extent to which policing in Minneapolis had turned into a political issue following the death of George Floyd. He implied that what he referred to as a “liberal mindset” frequently obstructed clear thinking based on reality and factual evidence.

Mayor Frey tells

WCCO’s Chad Hartman

He didn’t believe the remark was intended for him.

Hartman questioned whether he believed this was more targeted at certain members of the city council whose views he might disagree with.

This is my interpretation: Sometimes politics, particularly more radical political stances, can obstruct sensible and logical decision-making,” explains Frey. “If this is what he was referring to, then I concur.

Frey proposed that O’Hara, who had experience working in New Jersey, could be more familiar with East Coast politics rather than Midwestern politics.

As an individual who spent my formative years on the East Coast, I can attest that the political atmosphere there is quite challenging and distinct,” Frey said to WCCO’s Hartman. “Indeed, this holds true. The point the chief seemed to be making revolves around the overall leadership provided by the local political figures in the city.

When asked if the chief’s comments took aim at the city council, the Mayor sidestepped an answer.

Even Frey, who is a Democrat, has run into issues with a very progressive-leaning City Council on several issues including with

police and police funding

,

what to do

with

George Floyd Square

, the future of the

set fire to the 3rd Police Precinct

and

other issues

.