President Trump addressed the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Orlando, Florida on Monday.
He told the officers that he was on their side, sharing that he rarely turns down funds for law enforcement. He regretted that he had never seen more "disgraceful" attacks against police than he has in the past few years.
"It must stop," he said. "And it must stop now."
Before he was elected, there was a "historic surge in violent crime." But, "we are taking back our streets from drug lords, gangs, and crimes."
The president said that murders in cities are estimated to drop by 10 percent from 2016 levels. He sent his attorney general's office to Chicago, for instance, to work with local authorities. He urged Chicago to "strongly consider" using stop-and-frisk.
"It works and it was meant for problems like Chicago,” the president said.
More evidence of the administration's support of law enforcement, Trump said, is the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He will be a "faithful defender of the rule of law," Trump pledged.
He paused for a loud applause.
Trump recalled how "flawless" Kavanaugh was when he first nominated him and even told the nominee that the confirmation process was going to be "a piece of cake." Kavanaugh was extremely grateful, telling Trump it was "the honor of his life."
"He hasn't said that again to me, but I think he still believes that," Trump joked.
The way Democrats treated him was "disgraceful," he said. False statements were written about him by "evil" people. "But, we toughed it out."
It will be his honor he says, to swear in a "great" justice.
Officer safety will be a top priority for him, Trump said.
Additionally, they are going to work with law enforcement to address the opioid crisis. The president said they have secured "the most funding in history" to give officers the tools they need to "hunt down traffickers." The administration will continue working with them to rid MS-13 leaders, as well.
"The country loves you," Trump told the officers. "You don't hear it from them," he said, pointing to the media in the back of the room. "The people of our country love you."
He was honored to be in a "room of heroes."
.@POTUS to police chiefs: "On behalf of all Americans, I want to express our eternal gratitude for what you do every single day to protect our families, defend our streets and take down criminals." pic.twitter.com/c3DfpUo8T7
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 8, 2018
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