President Donald Trump is not a big fan of Chicago. But he had some kind words for two downstate lawmakers during his Windy City visit on Monday.
Trump gave U.S. Reps. Rodney Davis and Darin LaHood a shoutout during his speech in Chicago.
“We’re also glad to have with us Representatives Rodney Davis, Mike Bost, and Darin LaHood. These are warriors,” Trump said, according to a transcript. “The three of them — they’re warriors for us, for all of us. They’re warriors. Thank you. They’ve done an incredible job.”
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Trump was in Chicago on Monday to address the International Association of Chiefs of Police Annual Conference and Exposition. In his remarks, Trump disparaged the city as a haven for criminals that is “embarrassing to us as a nation.”
“All over the world, they’re talking about Chicago. Afghanistan is a safe place by comparison,” Trump said. “It’s true.”
Davis and LaHood, who together represent Bloomington-Normal in the House, are honorary co-chairs of Trump’s re-election campaign. Both have been ardent defenders of Trump.
Davis faces a tough re-election fight in the 13th Congressional District, which Trump won in 2016 by 5 percentage points. The Cook Political Report recently changed its rating for the 13th District from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.”
Davis, a Taylorville Republican now in his fourth term, beat Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan in 2018 by just 2,000 votes. The 2020 race would be a Davis-Londrigan rematch if she wins the Democratic primary. At least one other Democrat, Stefanie Smith of Urbana, has announced a run.
After the event, LaHood tweeted that he got a ride back to Washington, D.C., with Trump on Air Force One.
“Thanks for lift back to DC on Air Force One, Mr. President!” tweeted LaHood, a Peoria Republican.
