A visibly angry Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago police officers in unloading after the shocking decision to drop charges against Jussie Smollett, who had been indicted for perpetuating a hoax hate crime to advance his acting career, diverting significant police resources.

“This is a whitewash of justice and sends a clear message that if you’re in a position of influence and power you’ll be treated one way, other people will be treated another way," Emanuel said in a press conference following the surprising decision by the Cook County state attorney general's office to drop charges. "There is no accountability then in the system. It is wrong — full stop.”

Emanuel pulled no punches, even hinting at corruption in the decision, something my colleague Tiana Lowe highlighted earlier. “From top to bottom, this is not on the level," he said.

He was also joined by Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who last month seethed as he described the investigation against Smollett's "publicity stunt" that slapped the city in the face.

"Do I think justice was served?" Johnson asked on Tuesday. "No. What do I think justice is? I think this city is still owed an apology.”

It's not very often you see a mayor and a top cop join forces to fume at the decision of a prosecutor.

Emanuel explained that a grand jury chose to indict Smollett based on "only a sliver" of the evidence police had collected against Smollett, and now, thanks to a judge's decision, the evidence won't be made public.

He also noted that financial cost to the city to investigate Smollett's initial claim that he was a victim of a hate crime far exceeded the $10,000 released by Smollett as part of the deal to drop charges, which also involved community service.

At the same time, Emanuel said the decision means there will be no consequences to the ethical issue of manipulating hate crimes laws intended to protect minorities against attacks to advance his own career.