"Rahm Emanuel is here -- already hard at work on Chicago's problems," President Barack Obama told a crowd gathered for the annual Gridiron Dinner.
The President welcomed Emanuel "home" saying: "Unless anybody from the Illinois Supreme Court is here -- then welcome to Washington."
Part roast, part toast and so funny television cameras are not allowed to record the event where journalists join official Washington for dinner and a drubbing.
Mr. Obama also joked that Chicagoans should expect Emanuel's performance as mayor will have similar results to his time as White House Chief of Staff. "You know, the day I hired Rahm as my chief of staff, unemployment was under 8 percent and my approval ratings were in the 60s. So, good luck, Chicago." Obama said to laughter from the crowd.
Emanuel wasn't the only Chicagoan to get roasted by the commander-in-chief. Emanuel's West Wing replacement, former JP Morgan Chase executive Bill Daley, also earned a mention.
"The senior staff actually seems pretty happy with the change - particularly the new executive bonus plan," Obama joked.