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Remarks by President Trump at the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition | Chicago, IL
Press Release:
McCormick Place Convention Center • Chicago, Illinois • October 28 • 10:36 A.M. CDT
THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, Paul. You've been my friend for a long time, but thank you for that introduction. That says it all. You can say it very shortly, but I think there's nobody that's ever done more - certainly, in the position of President - for our great police, and it's an honor to be with you. And, please, sit down. Let's go have a good time. (Applause.) And, Paul, I want to thank you for nearly four decades of exceptional service in the line of duty.
I am thrilled to be here at the 126th Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, joined by thousands of amazing law enforcement leaders - people that I know, people that I love, people that I respect - who defend our communities, chase down criminals, and keep America safe.
You don't hear it enough: You do an incredible job. The people in this country know it, and the people of this country love you. You don't hear that from these people back here, but they love you. (Applause.) You don't hear it from the fake news. The fake news doesn't like talking about that, but they love you.
Every day of my presidency, I will be your greatest and most loyal champion. I have been and I will continue to be. It was a tremendous weekend - (applause).
As you very well know, it was a tremendous weekend for our country. We killed ISIS leader al-Baghdadi. (Applause.) They've been looking for him for a long time. They've been looking for him for many years. He was a sick and depraved man, and now he's dead. (Applause.) He's dead. He's dead as doornail. (Laughter and applause.) And he didn't die bravely, either, I will tell you that.
He should have been killed years ago. Another President should've gotten him. But, to me, it was a very important - I would say all the time - they'd walk into my office, "Sir, we killed this leader at a low level, this leader at..." I said, "I never heard of them. I want al-Baghdadi. That's the only one I know now." (Laughter.) "I want al-Baghdadi. Get him." And they got him. (Applause.)
But he was big time. He built the ISIS caliphate. You hear about ISIS - that was him. It was once the physical size of the state of Ohio, and had 7 million people, and it was growing big, big, big. And they had a problem - it started about two and a half years ago. (Laughter.)
And during my administration, I - we, all together - destroyed the caliphate 100 percent. Remember? I got it down to 97 percent. And I said, "All right, let's go home." And then, those people started saying 100 percent. You know, before me, they didn't care. But now they say, "What about 100 percent?"
And we met some great generals. I learned a lot about generals. I met some good ones and I saw some bad ones - some that didn't have what it takes, and others that had more than anyone would've thought. And it was supposed to take a year, maybe even two years. And I said to one of them, "How long will it take?" "I think we can do it in one week, sir." (Laughter.) He was a little more like you. (Laughter.)
But we have now tens of thousands of ISIS prisoners under tight supervision. And now we want the countries in the region to police their own borders. We don't want to be a policeman, in this case, of two countries that haven't gotten along for centuries. But we're keeping the oil - remember that. I've always said that: "Keep the oil." We want to keep the oil. Forty-five million dollars a month? Keep the oil. (Applause.) We've secured the oil.
This morning, we are delighted to be joined by a lifelong friend of our brave police - an incredible guy, tough guy, and somebody with a tremendous heart, also. But he is strong. He can take it. Attorney General William Barr. (Applause.) Where is William Barr? Where is he? Where is he? They're giving him a side-angle of the speech. (Laughter.) Good. Thank you, Bill. Doing a great job.
We're also glad to have with us Representatives Rodney Davis, Mike Bost, and Darin LaHood. These are warriors. Where are they? Where are they? The three of them - they're warriors for us, for all of us. (Applause.) They're warriors. Thank you. They've done an incredible job.
Thanks as well to the entire IACP Board. And congratulations to your new incoming president, Chief Steven Casstevens. That's a nice name. I like that name. Where is - where's that name? Where is he? He should be sitting right up front here someplace. I mean, okay, I'm going over here - stand up, Steven. Okay, Steven. There you go. I went all the way around the room to find you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Congratulations. Incredible group. And I hear you're an incredible leader. Thank you very much.
And thank you also to the international law enforcement partners who join us. Together, our nations ensure the rule of law prevails in the entire civilized world. We work together.
I also want to extend our immense appreciation to all of the law enforcement family members in the room. Please stand. The family members really make you folks work. I know how it all is. They're so proud of you. Family members, please stand. (Applause.) I know how that works. I know how that works. Without those family members, you wouldn't be doing so good. I know that.
But there is one person that's not here today. We're in Chicago. (Laughter.) I said, "Where is he? I want to talk to him." In fact, more than anyone else, this person should be here because maybe he could learn something. (Applause.)
And that's the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Eddie Johnson.
A few days ago, Johnson said, quote, "The values of the people of Chicago are more important than anything [President Trump] would have to say." I don't think so. Because that's a very insulting statement after all I've done for the police. And I've done more than any other President has ever done for the police. (Applause.) Over a hundred years - we can prove it - but probably from the beginning.
And here's a man that could not bother to show up for a meeting of police chiefs - the most respected people in the country - in his hometown, and with the President of the United States. And you know why? It's because he's not doing his job.
Last year, 565 people were murdered in Chicago. Since Eddie Johnson has been police chief, more than 1,500 people have been murdered in Chicago, and 13,067 people have been shot. During the first weekend of August 2019, 7 people were murdered and 52 were wounded in 32 shootings in Chicago. And recently, they had 78 shootings over a weekend spree, and 3 people killed. And Chicago has the toughest gun laws in the United States. That doesn't seem to be working too well, does it? And a lot of you people know exactly what I mean. But under Johnson's leadership, they certainly don't protect people.
Then you have the case of this wise-guy, Jussie Smollett, who beat up himself. (Laughter and applause.) And he said MAGA country did it. MAGA country. Okay? He said MAGA - it's a hate crime. That's a hate crime. And it's a scam. It's a real big scam, just like the impeachment of your President is a scam. (Applause.) And then you look what's going on. Smollett is still trying to get away with it. He would have been better off if he paid his hundred-thousand-dollar bill.
Chicago is, unfortunately, the worst sanctuary city in America. Chicago protects criminals at a level few could even imagine. Last year, in Cook County alone, ICE asked local law enforcement people to, "Please, pretty please, we beg you, we'll do anything necessary to stop crime. We want to stop crime. Please detain 1,162 people. Please." But in each case, the detainer was denied.
And Eddie Johnson wants to talk about values? No. People like Johnson put criminals and illegal aliens before the citizens of Chicago. And those are his values. And, frankly, those values, to me, are a disgrace. I will never - (applause) - put the needs of illegal criminals before I put the needs of law-abiding citizens. It's very simple to me. (Applause.)
So when Eddie Johnson, and many other people from lots of other regions and areas, support sanctuary cities, it's really, in my opinion, a betrayal of their oath to the shield, and a violation of his duty to serve and to protect the courageous police officers of Chicago. And I know some of them, and they're the most incredible people. They could solve this problem quickly. (Applause.)
It's embarrassing to us as a nation. All over the world, they're talking about Chicago. Afghanistan is a safe place by comparison. (Laughter.) It's true. Police officers of Chicago are entitled to a police superintendent who has their backs and knows what he's doing. You're entitled to a police superintendent who sides with you, with the people of Chicago - the people want this - and with the families of Chicago, not the criminals and the gang members that are here illegally, and not the stupid politicians that have no idea what the hell they're doing. (Applause.)
...
Read the entire transcript HERE.
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THE PRESIDENT: Thank you. Thank you, Paul. You've been my friend for a long time, but thank you for that introduction. That says it all. You can say it very shortly, but I think there's nobody that's ever done more - certainly, in the position of President - for our great police, and it's an honor to be with you. And, please, sit down. Let's go have a good time. (Applause.) And, Paul, I want to thank you for nearly four decades of exceptional service in the line of duty.
I am thrilled to be here at the 126th Annual Conference of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, joined by thousands of amazing law enforcement leaders - people that I know, people that I love, people that I respect - who defend our communities, chase down criminals, and keep America safe.
You don't hear it enough: You do an incredible job. The people in this country know it, and the people of this country love you. You don't hear that from these people back here, but they love you. (Applause.) You don't hear it from the fake news. The fake news doesn't like talking about that, but they love you.
Every day of my presidency, I will be your greatest and most loyal champion. I have been and I will continue to be. It was a tremendous weekend - (applause).
As you very well know, it was a tremendous weekend for our country. We killed ISIS leader al-Baghdadi. (Applause.) They've been looking for him for a long time. They've been looking for him for many years. He was a sick and depraved man, and now he's dead. (Applause.) He's dead. He's dead as doornail. (Laughter and applause.) And he didn't die bravely, either, I will tell you that.
He should have been killed years ago. Another President should've gotten him. But, to me, it was a very important - I would say all the time - they'd walk into my office, "Sir, we killed this leader at a low level, this leader at..." I said, "I never heard of them. I want al-Baghdadi. That's the only one I know now." (Laughter.) "I want al-Baghdadi. Get him." And they got him. (Applause.)
But he was big time. He built the ISIS caliphate. You hear about ISIS - that was him. It was once the physical size of the state of Ohio, and had 7 million people, and it was growing big, big, big. And they had a problem - it started about two and a half years ago. (Laughter.)
And during my administration, I - we, all together - destroyed the caliphate 100 percent. Remember? I got it down to 97 percent. And I said, "All right, let's go home." And then, those people started saying 100 percent. You know, before me, they didn't care. But now they say, "What about 100 percent?"
And we met some great generals. I learned a lot about generals. I met some good ones and I saw some bad ones - some that didn't have what it takes, and others that had more than anyone would've thought. And it was supposed to take a year, maybe even two years. And I said to one of them, "How long will it take?" "I think we can do it in one week, sir." (Laughter.) He was a little more like you. (Laughter.)
But we have now tens of thousands of ISIS prisoners under tight supervision. And now we want the countries in the region to police their own borders. We don't want to be a policeman, in this case, of two countries that haven't gotten along for centuries. But we're keeping the oil - remember that. I've always said that: "Keep the oil." We want to keep the oil. Forty-five million dollars a month? Keep the oil. (Applause.) We've secured the oil.
This morning, we are delighted to be joined by a lifelong friend of our brave police - an incredible guy, tough guy, and somebody with a tremendous heart, also. But he is strong. He can take it. Attorney General William Barr. (Applause.) Where is William Barr? Where is he? Where is he? They're giving him a side-angle of the speech. (Laughter.) Good. Thank you, Bill. Doing a great job.
We're also glad to have with us Representatives Rodney Davis, Mike Bost, and Darin LaHood. These are warriors. Where are they? Where are they? The three of them - they're warriors for us, for all of us. (Applause.) They're warriors. Thank you. They've done an incredible job.
Thanks as well to the entire IACP Board. And congratulations to your new incoming president, Chief Steven Casstevens. That's a nice name. I like that name. Where is - where's that name? Where is he? He should be sitting right up front here someplace. I mean, okay, I'm going over here - stand up, Steven. Okay, Steven. There you go. I went all the way around the room to find you. (Applause.) Thank you very much. Congratulations. Incredible group. And I hear you're an incredible leader. Thank you very much.
And thank you also to the international law enforcement partners who join us. Together, our nations ensure the rule of law prevails in the entire civilized world. We work together.
I also want to extend our immense appreciation to all of the law enforcement family members in the room. Please stand. The family members really make you folks work. I know how it all is. They're so proud of you. Family members, please stand. (Applause.) I know how that works. I know how that works. Without those family members, you wouldn't be doing so good. I know that.
But there is one person that's not here today. We're in Chicago. (Laughter.) I said, "Where is he? I want to talk to him." In fact, more than anyone else, this person should be here because maybe he could learn something. (Applause.)
And that's the Superintendent of the Chicago Police Department, Eddie Johnson.
A few days ago, Johnson said, quote, "The values of the people of Chicago are more important than anything [President Trump] would have to say." I don't think so. Because that's a very insulting statement after all I've done for the police. And I've done more than any other President has ever done for the police. (Applause.) Over a hundred years - we can prove it - but probably from the beginning.
And here's a man that could not bother to show up for a meeting of police chiefs - the most respected people in the country - in his hometown, and with the President of the United States. And you know why? It's because he's not doing his job.
Last year, 565 people were murdered in Chicago. Since Eddie Johnson has been police chief, more than 1,500 people have been murdered in Chicago, and 13,067 people have been shot. During the first weekend of August 2019, 7 people were murdered and 52 were wounded in 32 shootings in Chicago. And recently, they had 78 shootings over a weekend spree, and 3 people killed. And Chicago has the toughest gun laws in the United States. That doesn't seem to be working too well, does it? And a lot of you people know exactly what I mean. But under Johnson's leadership, they certainly don't protect people.
Then you have the case of this wise-guy, Jussie Smollett, who beat up himself. (Laughter and applause.) And he said MAGA country did it. MAGA country. Okay? He said MAGA - it's a hate crime. That's a hate crime. And it's a scam. It's a real big scam, just like the impeachment of your President is a scam. (Applause.) And then you look what's going on. Smollett is still trying to get away with it. He would have been better off if he paid his hundred-thousand-dollar bill.
Chicago is, unfortunately, the worst sanctuary city in America. Chicago protects criminals at a level few could even imagine. Last year, in Cook County alone, ICE asked local law enforcement people to, "Please, pretty please, we beg you, we'll do anything necessary to stop crime. We want to stop crime. Please detain 1,162 people. Please." But in each case, the detainer was denied.
And Eddie Johnson wants to talk about values? No. People like Johnson put criminals and illegal aliens before the citizens of Chicago. And those are his values. And, frankly, those values, to me, are a disgrace. I will never - (applause) - put the needs of illegal criminals before I put the needs of law-abiding citizens. It's very simple to me. (Applause.)
So when Eddie Johnson, and many other people from lots of other regions and areas, support sanctuary cities, it's really, in my opinion, a betrayal of their oath to the shield, and a violation of his duty to serve and to protect the courageous police officers of Chicago. And I know some of them, and they're the most incredible people. They could solve this problem quickly. (Applause.)
It's embarrassing to us as a nation. All over the world, they're talking about Chicago. Afghanistan is a safe place by comparison. (Laughter.) It's true. Police officers of Chicago are entitled to a police superintendent who has their backs and knows what he's doing. You're entitled to a police superintendent who sides with you, with the people of Chicago - the people want this - and with the families of Chicago, not the criminals and the gang members that are here illegally, and not the stupid politicians that have no idea what the hell they're doing. (Applause.)
...
Read the entire transcript HERE.
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