President Trump Vists Long Island Town Plagued by Gang Violence

President Trump spoke in front of a blue backdrop--men in blue, that is--to a crowd of law enforcement and local advocates about gang violence plaguing the eastern Long Island town of Brentwood. Speaking at Suffolk Community College, he thanked local law enforcement and ICE agents for their efforts, and blamed the gang's spread on weak leadership. 

"They're there right now because of weak political leadership, weak leadership, weak policing, and in many cases because the police weren't allowed to do their job," he said. Trump also blamed "incompetent mayors," seemingly making a jab at New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The president was also critical of a loophole that allowed a large number of unaccompanied minors from Central and South America to come to the United States last year.

"Nearly 4,000 from this wave were released into Suffolk County. Congratulations. Including seven who are now indicted for murder."

Brentwood has been a hotspot of MS-13 activity. Authorities say the 17 murders in Suffolk county since last year have been partly due to gang violence. Trump said his administration is targeting and deporting gang members, both on Long Island and across the country.

"MS-13, the cartel, has spread gruesome bloodshed throughout the United States. We've gotten a lot of them out of here - a big big percentage. The rest are coming. They'll be out of here quickly, right? Quickly."

The president is asking Congress for another 10,000 immigration agents, and encouraged ICE agents not to be delicate in their tactics. 

"And when you see these towns, and when you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon, you just see them thrown in, rough. I said 'Please don't be too nice,'" he said. 

But not all Brentwood residents liked the president's hard-line approach. Just across the street at a state park, hundreds of protestors rejected what they called Trump's 'anti-immigrant rhetoric.'