Proving once more that he can build bridges between seemingly divergent groups, the past United States President, Donald Trump, has secured another highly significant endorsement. The endorsement doesn’t come from the usual conservative quarters you might expect. In fact, it’s from one of the country’s largest police unions, the renowned National Fraternal Order of Police. This group, representing a formidable body of around 378,000 law enforcement officers across the nation, has shown their support for the former President.
The choice to back Trump stems from the union’s belief that public safety and border security will be key focal points in the critical concluding stages of the campaign. According to the union’s National President, Patrick Yoes, the police officers they represent surveyed the political landscape meticulously before coming to this conclusion. Without any shadow of a doubt, their pick for the next presidential term was unequivocal: It was Donald J. Trump.
The organization prides themselves on their fair endorsement process. Giving each member a voice, their 46 State Lodges provide a conduit for the individual preferences of all union members. The National Trustee, informed by these views, represents the collective will of the membership at the union’s National Board meeting. To clinch the esteemed endorsement, a candidate requires the backing of two-thirds of the State Lodges. It’s noteworthy that Trump not only met this high bar but went beyond it with a significant level of support.
Reflecting on Trump’s first term, Yoes pointed out that the 45th President left an indelible mark with his resolute support for law enforcement and steadfast dedication to border security. He didn’t shy away from standing shoulder to shoulder with the police force, even when such a stance was far from popular. In fact, it was under his administration’s leadership that the police were able to push back the ‘defund the police’ movement, contributing considerably towards reducing crime rates.
Amid an uncommon electoral atmosphere, the union evaluated both potential 2024 presidential candidates. Their assessment encompassed an extensive examination of everything from the candidates’ positions on police labor issues to their strategies for tackling criminal justice concerns. Personal interaction with the candidates bolstered this appraisal. They were able to meet directly with former President Trump, providing the opportunity to discuss these issues first-hand, a courtesy not extended by the opposite campaign.
Positioned as the largest police union in the country, the National Fraternal Order of Police’s endorsement is a prized seal of approval in a presidential race. According to Yoes, the union has a duty to its substantial membership, the 700,000 police officers acting in force across the nation, and the communities these officers serve. It is within these roles and responsibilities that the union seek to influence the trajectory of the nation.
Throughout every election cycle, the union places significant importance on those campaigns which prioritize the issues most pertinent to their members, from on-the-ground challenges that law enforcement officers encounter daily to broader public safety queries and the obstacles within our criminal justice system. This focus has led them to extend their support to candidates across the political spectrum, from George H. W. Bush in 1992 to John S. McCain III in 2008.
The National Fraternal Order of Police has a history of backing Trump, endorsing him in both 2016 and 2020. Acknowledging the former President’s leadership during challenging times, Yoes reiterated the union’s confidence in Trump’s capacity to steer the nation effectively. Given the opportunity to run for a second term, the union supports another term for Trump at the helm of the nation.
Trump’s endorsement list is indicative of his wide-reaching support across social and political divides. This list includes the like of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a former Democrat and Independent presidential candidate, along with the former Democrat Hawaii representative, Tulsi Gabbard. However, the extent of his support isn’t just limited to these figures. He’s also managed to get the backing of the erstwhile political adversary, Georgia’s Republican Governor, Brian Kemp.
National Fraternal Order of Police Endorses Trump For President appeared first on Real News Now.
About Author
