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As we enter National Police Week (May 11 to May 17), it is only appropriate to honor the men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives daily to serve and protect. Behind each badge is a son, daughter, mother or father. In many communities across America, law enforcement officers have become the targets of intentional violence.
President Trump has remained a firm and loyal supporter of law enforcement, consistently stating, “We back the blue. ” His actions match his words. It is no coincidence that most police unions, including the Fraternal Order of Police, endorsed his candidacy for president last fall.
His firm stance on crime, his push for border security, and his commitment to tackling the drug crisis all reflect a serious approach to restoring order and protecting American lives. President Trump has clarified that law and order must return to this nation, echoing President Ronald Reagan.
National Police Week is a solemn week that remembers the fallen, supports the officers currently serving, and acknowledges the families who stand behind them. Officers do not ask for praise; they ask for respect, fairness, and the ability to do their job without being undermined by politics.
Sadly, the anti-police movement that has grown over the last decade has done real damage. The defund the police narrative has crippled departments, lowered morale, and left cities across the country less safe. The attacks are not just verbal. Police officers have been ambushed in their cars, followed home, and advised to hide their identity when off duty for fear of being assaulted. The intentional killing of Larry Henderson, a Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputy in Ohio, last week serves as a recent example. The death of Henderson, an American hero, reminds us how dangerous a law enforcement career is and how great the cost can be.
The treatment of law enforcement is not unlike how Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned home.
It is no surprise that the cities most hostile to law enforcement are also those plagued by rising crime and lawlessness, something that President Trump seeks to address.
The thin blue line represents something real and powerful. These men and women step into the worst situations, from domestic violence calls, overdoses, shootings, often with no backup and no thanks. President Trump has drawn a hard line in his support for law enforcement. He knows America cannot survive without law and order.
The thin blue line deserves the support of every American, not just during National Police Week, but every week. Law enforcement officers are patriots. They are the backbone of America. President Trump understands that more than any leader in recent memory.
