Nation’s largest police union backs Trump

Written by Janice Hisle via The Epoch Times,

Former President Donald Trump received the endorsement of the national Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), America’s largest and oldest police union, on September 6.

“During his time in the White House, we had a partner and a leader. Today, Mr. President, we stand with you,” FOP Chairman Patrick Yoes said at the group’s Sept. 6 meeting in Charlotte, North Carolina.

“We support you and we will work tirelessly for your election.”

The national FOP has supported candidates from both major political parties over the years, but has favored Trump in all three of his presidential campaigns.

After Yoes introduced Trump, the Republican presidential candidate received widespread applause from the FOP as he outlined steps he plans to take to strengthen police departments, pursue tougher sentences for serious crimes and crack down on illegal immigration.

Because Harris is a former California prosecutor and Trump is awaiting sentencing on Nov. 26 for corporate records violations in a controversial case in New York, some of her supporters have characterized the race as “the prosecutor versus the criminal.” Following the FOP’s show of support, the Republican Party branded the former president and his running mate, Sen. J.D. Vance (R-Ohio), “The Pro-Police Ticket.”

The 377,000-member FOP joins the International Union of Police Associations, the National Association of Police Organizations and “numerous local, state and police advocacy groups” in endorsing Trump over his opponent, Bob Paduchik, a senior adviser to Trump’s campaign, told reporters on a call ahead of the announcement.

How the union got its approval

Based on votes from all 46 state lodges, the FOP chose Trump over Harris after considering the policy positions of both candidates.

Trump has met with an FOP committee, “but no similar meeting has been authorized” by Harris’ campaign, the FOP said in a press release.

Additionally, Trump responded to a questionnaire from the FOP, while Harris’ campaign responded with a letter outlining “some of their positions on criminal justice and policing issues,” the FOP said.

Since August 6, when Harris announced she had chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her running mate, the Harris-Walz team has provided few details about their policy positions. The duo also largely ignored reporters’ questions at campaign rallies and did not hold a single formal press conference.

During that time, Trump and Vance’s team gave dozens of interviews and held countless press conferences.

Republican vice presidential candidate Sen. J.D. Vance, R-Ohio, talks to reporters after walking to Vice President Kamala Harris’s Air Force Two plane at Chippewa Valley Regional Airport, Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024, in Eau Claire, Wis. AP Photo/Alex Brandon

FOP Chairman Yoes praised Trump for his “real, sincere commitment to advancing police in this country… at a time when it was not a political battlefield.”

He praised Trump for supporting historic criminal justice reform policies and opposing efforts to “dismantle the police.”

Attendees at the FOP meeting greeted Trump with a standing ovation as he began his 50-minute speech.

“American cities are under siege,” he said, noting that three Milwaukee police officers suffered gunshot wounds on the eve of the FOP meeting.

Trump blames policies he says enable illegal immigration, reduced funding for police, the prosecution of police officers for doing their jobs, and mishandling and prosecution.

Trump said people like him are targeted with allegations of election irregularities, while those suspected of violent crimes can be released on low or no bail, and many of them avoid meaningful punishment.

This creates a climate in which “the law-abiding citizen is forced to live in fear and danger,” he said, adding: “We don’t have to live this way anymore… and when I’m president of the United States, we’re not going to stand for this anymore.” The audience responded with another standing ovation.

Crime promises

If re-elected, Trump promises to take a number of measures to combat crime and support the police.

He called for a return to “proven methods of fighting crime,” such as allowing officers to stop and frisk people suspected of crimes.

Trump also cited the principles of the “broken windows theory,” the idea that eliminating disorder and neglect in neighborhoods can improve the overall environment and deter crime.

Federal authorities under Trump would work with local agencies to form a task force “to dismantle the gangs, street gangs and criminal networks,” he said, adding that he would deploy the US Navy for “a complete blockade of (drug) cartel activity.”

Trump also said he would support “mandatory minimum sentences of 20 years for illegal gang members caught committing gun crimes, drug trafficking or violent acts — or we send them back to their countries with the assurance that they will go to prison.”

More than 1,000 illegal immigrants line up to be processed by U.S. Border Patrol agents after crossing the Rio Grande from Mexico in Eagle Pass, Texas, on Dec. 18, 2023. John Moore/Getty Images

In addition, Trump promised: “I will make their home countries pay for the cost of their imprisonment through reduced foreign aid and high tariffs… the days of foreign countries dumping their criminals on America are over.”

The former president reiterated his previous promises to restore funding to police departments, protect police officers from unfair legal action for doing their jobs, close the U.S.-Mexico border and carry out the largest deportation operation in the nation’s history.

Trump also said he would push for a mandatory 10-year prison sentence for “anyone guilty of human trafficking,” along with life sentences for those guilty of child trafficking and the death penalty for drug dealers and “anyone who kills a police officer.”