Trump attacks FBI leaders – but backs local law enforcers

United States: President pledges loyalty to police

President Donald Trump has attacked the FBI leadership while proclaiming 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 Quantico, Virginia.

He called the agency’s handling of Hillary Clinton’s e-mail investigation “really disgraceful” and said “we’re going to rebuild the FBI”.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Trump lavished praise on graduates of an FBI National Academy programme and their families, touting their accomplishments and pledging his unwavering support.

He told law enforcement leaders he is “more loyal than anyone else could be” to police.

“Anti-police sentiment is wrong and it’s dangerous,” he added. “Anyone who kills a police officer should get the death penalty.”

Mr Trump used the speech to promote his administration’s tough-oncrime 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.

Hours before, White House deputy press secretary Hogan Gidley told Fox News Channel that edits to former FBI director James Comey’s statement on Mrs Clinton’s private email server and anti-Trump texts from a top agent are “deeply troubling”.

“There is extreme bias against this president with high-up members of the team there at the FBI who were investigating Hillary Clinton at the time,” he said.

Special counsel Robert Mueller is pushing on with a probe of possible Trump campaign ties to Russia.

Mr Gidley said Mr Trump maintains confidence in the FBI’s rank-and-file.

Donald Trump says he is ‘going to rebuild the FBI’