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 Trump, and
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.
