CHICAGO _ President Donald Trump, who will be in Chicago next week for a campaign fundraiser, also is scheduled to speak at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference, a White House official has confirmed.
The president's Monday address comes the same day as a fundraiser hosted by Chicago Cubs co-owner Todd Ricketts and Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel, according to an invitation of the event obtained by the Tribune.
Asked what the president will focus on in his speech, the White House responded in a statement: 'President Trump is expected to discuss his strong record on law enforcement, the historic First Step Act legislation, and economic actions taken to reduce crime and recidivism, including Opportunity Zones."
The statement also lauded the IACP as "the first law enforcement association to endorse the President's First Step Act, which prepares inmates to successfully rejoin society and enacts commonsense sentencing reforms to make our justice system fairer for all Americans."
Last year, the president addressed the police organization in Florida and took aim at Chicago, saying "the crime spree has a terrible blight on that city" and that if the city followed consistent stop-and-frisk-policies it could help curb gun violence.
The Tribune previously reported that he may address the organization.
Already, he has a busy day in the city planned with a fundraiser tentatively planned for Trump Tower in downtown Chicago, according to a source who asked not to be identified because they are not allowed to speak publicly about the event.
The invitation said donors who respond to the solicitation would be notified of the event's location. An invite to the fundraiser, obtained by the Tribune, shows three different levels of donations ranging from $2,800 for a lunch ticket, $35,000 per couple donated or raised to earn a photo with the president and $100,000 raised for an exclusive roundtable sit-down with Trump.
Donations from the event will go to Trump Victory, a joint fundraising of Trump's reelection fund and the Republican National Committee.
Trump, who has regularly assailed Chicago gun violence as a fault of Democratic leadership, is urging grassroots supporters to contribute to him in exchange for a chance to win an "incredible trip" to his fundraiser here.
In an email to donors, Trump left little doubt that it would be held at Trump Tower in downtown Chicago, saying he was "hosting a lunch at a VERY NICE HOTEL."
(Chicago Tribune political reporter Rick Pearson contributed.)
