Thursday, July 16, 2020

National Association of Police Organizations Ditches Biden, Endorses Trump




AP Photo/Patrick Semansky

On Wednesday, the National Association of Police Organization (NAPO), which represents over a thousand police unions and 241,000 police officers, endorsed President Trump’s reelection. The group cited Trump’s “steadfast and very public support” for law enforcement in their endorsement letter, which was obtained by the Washington Times.

NAPO previously endorsed Joe Biden as Vice President in 2008 and 2012.

APO President Michael McHale noted that Trump’s support of the police during the wave of anti-police sentiment that came in the wake of the death of George Floyd was critical, and appreciated “during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many.”

The endorsement is a huge blow to Joe Biden, who fancies himself both a “union man” and an ally of police. Earlier this month, Biden referred to the police as “the enemy” and seemingly endorsed defunding the police.

“Surplus military equipment for law enforcement. They don’t need that. The last thing you need is an up-armored Humvee coming into a neighborhood, it’s like the military invading. They don’t know anybody. They become the enemy. They’re supposed to be protecting these people,” Biden said before announcing support for some version of defunding the police.

Joe Biden has tried to find some middle ground position to be able to support the increasingly radical Black Lives Matter movement (which not only believes in systemic racism in police departments but also endorses defunding police) and support for police. It clearly hasn’t fooled anyone. Police unions supported Biden’s past anti-crime legislation and was once considered a reliable ally of police, but his recent rhetoric was just too much, making it impossible for Biden to win their endorsement.

“I think police officers and associations look at Joe Biden today, and it’s hard not to contrast the candidate today with the senator of 15 or 20 years ago,” said Bill Johnson, executive director of NAPO. “Mr. Biden, like a lot of candidates, moved to the left party during the primaries, but once it was clear that he was going to be the nominee, he didn’t stop.”

Paul DiGiacomo, president of the Detectives’ Endowment Association, said “Biden seems to have abandoned the police and his support for the police because it is not popular to support the police at this time.”

“Right now, I can’t see any police or law enforcement group backing him after what he said dancing around the subject of policing in America,” he added.

From where I stand, it was an easy choice.
_____

Matt Margolis is the author of the new book Airborne: How The Liberal Media Weaponized The Coronavirus Against Donald Trumpand the bestselling book The Worst President in History: The Legacy of Barack Obama. You can follow Matt on Twitter @MattMargolis



__________________

RELATED ARTICLE


Trump Gets Endorsement From Union That Backed Obama/Biden Twice

By Leah Barkoukis | Townhall.com



Source: AP Photo/Alex Brandon

With police under increasing attack on the streets, in the media, and by many Democratic politicians, the National Association of Police Organizations threw its support behind President Trump’s re-election bid Wednesday because of his “steadfast and very public support” for law enforcement.

NAPO President Michael McHale pointed out how important it is to have the president’s support “during this time of unfair and inaccurate opprobrium being directed at our members by so many.”

He continued: “We particularly value your directing the Attorney General to aggressively prosecute those who attack our officers; your signing into law the Law Enforcement Mental Health and Wellness Act; your advocacy and signing into law the legislation which permanently authorized funds to support 9/11 first responders and their families; your revitalization of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program to help reduce violence crime; and your unflagging recognition that America’s law enforcement officers, just like any other citizens, have Constitutional rights, too.”

The union did not support a candidate in the 2016 election but did endorse former President Obama and then Vice President Joe Biden in the 2008 and 2012 elections.

Trump reiterated his support for law enforcement on Monday.

“Our officers have been under vicious assault,” he said. “Reckless politicians have defamed our heroes as the enemy…These radical politicians want to defund and abolish the police.”

He also made clear where his administration stands on such issues: “My administration is pro-safety, pro-police and anti-crime.”

Biden, meanwhile, initially said he was against efforts to defund law enforcement but changed his tune in a recent interview with Now This, arguing police have “become the enemy” and expressed support for cutting funding.