Trump Blasts FBI Before Praising New Graduates

He also says he doesn't want to discuss a pardon of Michael Flynn, 'yet'
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Dec 15, 2017 12:29 PM CST
Trump Blasts FBI Before Praising New Graduates
President Trump gestures to the crowd at the FBI National Academy graduation ceremony, Friday, Dec. 15, 2017, in Quantico, Va.   (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

President Trump laced into FBI leadership Friday, while proclaiming his loyalty and support for law enforcement in an address at the agency's training academy. "It's a shame what's happened" with the FBI, the president said as he left the White House for a speech at the FBI training academy in Quantico, Virginia. He called the agency's handling of Hillary Clinton's email investigation "really disgraceful" and told reporters "we're going to rebuild the FBI," per the AP. Shortly afterward, Trump lavished praise on graduates of a weeks-long FBI National Academy program and their families, touting their accomplishments and pledging his unwavering support. Trump told law enforcement leaders he is "more loyal than anyone else could be" to police.

Trump used the speech to promote his administration's tough-on-crime policies, delivering a stern warning to members of the international gang MS-13 that his administration will root them out and arrest them. He also celebrated his decision to make it easier for local police forces to purchase surplus military equipment, and questioned rising violence in Chicago. "What the hell is going on in Chicago? What the hell is happening there," he asked. In his comments before the speech, Trump also mentioned former national security adviser Michael Flynn. "I don't want to talk about pardons with Michael Flynn—yet," Trump said, per NPR. "We'll see what happens. Let's see."


(More President Trump stories.)

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