“The president had the kind of human reaction that I think lots of other people across the country have had to that specific video,” Earnest added, declining to be more specific about Obama’s reaction.

The president’s spokesman said Obama was wary of injecting his reactions into the public discussion about McDonald’s death and the indictment of a white Chicago police officer on charges of shooting the black teenager 16 times. He is concerned that any presidential comments could be “viewed by some as improperly interfering with an ongoing independent criminal investigation,” Earnest said.

Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan this week asked the Justice Department to investigate the Chicago Police Department, and the federal government said it is reviewing the request. Justice is separately is investigating McDonald’s death.

Earnest rejected assertions by critics that Obama was reluctant to speak because Chicago’s fallout involves a mayor who is a former aide, friend and occasional adviser. He denied the president was more publicly assertive after police shootings of young black men in Ferguson, Mo., and Baltimore.