Trump Says Afghanistan is Safer Than Chicago As He Rails Against Top Cop Eddie Johnson

President Donald Trump railed against Chicago's police chief Monday, citing the city's crime rate as evidence to make his argument that the police "don't protect people" and that they have allowed Chicago to become less safe than Afghanistan.

Chicago Police Superintendent Eddie Johnson chose to boycott the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference where Trump was speaking, a decision that drew the ire of the president.

"Under Johnson's leadership, they certainly don't protect people," Trump told the hundreds of Chicago police officers attending. "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."

Trump suggested Johnson did not "side" with the citizens of Chicago, accusing him of trying to protect criminals because of the city's status as a sanctuary city and its refusal to hand over local undocumented migrants to federal immigration officials.

"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," Trump said. "The people want this 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."

Large protests took place in the city near Trump Tower, social media posts showed.

Trump was set to sign an executive order at the Chicago police conference to create a "commission on law enforcement and the administration of justice." It will make "concrete recommendations," Trump explained, to train and aid officers in their handling of people with mental health issues, in addition to exploring and understanding what role drug abuse and homelessness may play in violent crimes.