Donald Trump has painted himself as the law and order candidate since he started his campaign last year, vowing to take on the violent side of illegal immigration and using crime in America’s cities as a political talking point during his campaign stops. There’s plenty of contentious debate revolving around some of his claims, but it seems to have paid off with a major backer.
The National Fraternal Order of Police has officially put their support behind Trump’s campaign, releasing an official statement following its Fall meeting in Nashville according to US News:
The order represents more than 330,000 members. The endorsement was decided by the group’s 45-member National Board, which had gathered in Nashville for its fall meeting.
“He’s made a real commitment to America’s law enforcement, and we’re proud to make a commitment to him and his campaign by endorsing his candidacy today,” FOP president Chuck Canterbury said in a statement unveiling the endorsement. “He is a proven leader, and that’s what we need for the next four years – a leader unafraid to make tough choices and see them through.”
As US News points out, crime nationwide remains at “historic lows” compared to Trump’s loud claims to the contrary, using violence in Chicago as a pillar of his claims. They also report that Politifact found that two of Trump’s claims on crime were false, giving them the “pants on fire” rating. None of that seems to affect the NFOP who have taken a combative stance with the Obama administration in recent years following the rise of Black Lives Matter and several high-profile incidents of police misconduct.
The members have spoken, we have endorsed the @realDonaldTrump for President. #FOPforTrump pic.twitter.com/ENNMRAbmuw
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) September 16, 2016
In the statement, the NFOP claimed their decision was made easy due to the Clinton campaign apparently not reaching out to them for any sort of endorsement according to US News:
“We have a candidate who declined to seek an endorsement and a candidate without any record as an elected official. Mr. Trump, however, has seriously looked at the issues facing law enforcement today,” Canterbury said. “He took the time off the campaign trail and met with us to talk about our issues, our priorities.
He added: “I look forward to working with the Trump Administration on the issues that matter most to law enforcement.”
This endorsement will most certainly be a boost for his supporters and base, playing upon the already existing divide between police and members of the public. It should be noted that the union has not endorsed a Democratic candidate for president since Clinton.
(Via US News)