Trump rips Chicago as more dangerous than Afghanistan
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[October 29, 2019]
By Alexandra Alper
CHICAGO (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald
Trump came not to praise Chicago but to condemn it - and did he ever.
In remarks to a meeting of the International Association of Chiefs of
Police, Trump said Chicago with its high rate of murders compared
unfavorably with Afghanistan, where the United States has been at war
since an invasion triggered by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.
"It's embarrassing to us as a nation. All over the world, they're
talking about Chicago. Afghanistan is a safe place by comparison, it's
true," said Trump.
Trump also blasted Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson, who had
refused to attend the event to express opposition to the Republican
president, who was making his first trip to the heavily Democratic city
since taking office in early 2017.
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"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," Trump said of Johnson.
Homicides in Chicago in 2018 numbered 561, down from 653 in 2017. The
Chicago Tribune said 436 homicides had been recorded so far in 2019 in
the third most-populous U.S. city.
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot, a Democrat, responded to Trump on Twitter,
saying it was no surprise that Trump "brought his insulting, ignorant
buffoonery to Chicago."
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![](../images/102919pics/news_I19.jpg)
A supporter and a protester express their feelings as they stand
side-by-side during a demonstration across the river from Trump
International Hotel and Tower while U.S. President Donald Trump
visits in Chicago, Illinois, U.S., October 28, 2019. REUTERS/Leah
Millis/File Photo
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"Luckily, in this city, we know the truth and we will not let anyone
— no matter how high the office — denigrate who we are as a people
or our status as a welcoming city," she said.
A few thousand people rallied outside of Trump Tower in Chicago,
where Trump was inside raising about $4 million for his 2020
re-election campaign and the Republican National Committee.
They held signs protesting Trump and his presidency, banged on drums
and blew whistles. “Impeach and convict” read one sign.
Retired suburban teacher Claudia Feeney, 68, said Trump should be
impeached.
“He’s a disgrace to the presidency and a danger to the country,” she
said.
(Reporting by Alexandra Alper, Brendan O'Brien and Karen Pierog;
Writing by Steve Holland; Editing by Peter Cooney)
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