The National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO) endorsed President Trump’s reelection on Wednesday, praising his “firm and very public support” for law enforcement.
NAPO did not endorse a candidate in the 2016 election, but endorsed former President Barack Obama and then Vice President Joe Biden in the 2008 and 2012 elections.
NAPO President Michael McHale said Trump’s support is necessary “during this time of unfair and inaccurate disgrace directed by many at our members.”
“We especially appreciate that you order the Attorney General to aggressively prosecute those who attack our officers,” McHale wrote in a letter.
TRUMP WAITING TO OBTAIN THE SUPPORT OF THE POLICE UNIONS AS LAWS OF APPLICATION OF THE LAW ON THE MOUNT BIDEN
The police association, which represents more than 1,000 police associations and 241,000 officers, met with Trump on Monday.
Officers have faced routine derogation in the wake of racial injustice protests across the country, with some denouncing alleged Democratic candidate Joe Biden for failing to condemn anti-police rhetoric.
While the Biden campaign has strongly opposed the idea of abolishing police departments, the candidate said some funds should be “absolutely” redirected by the police.
In a Now This interview with activist Ady Barkan, the alleged Democratic candidate said police forces do not need surplus military equipment, saying this is what leads them to “become the enemy” in a community.
Biden campaign Rapid Response Director Andrew Bates said last month that the former vice president supports “the urgent need for reform,” which he says includes “funding for public schools, summer programs and mental health treatment and substance abuse other than funds for police surveillance: – so that officers can focus on surveillance work. “
Biden’s campaign has signaled the former vice president’s criminal justice plan, which proposes an additional $ 300 million for community policing. Bates said the funding “would improve relations between officers and residents” and “would provide the necessary training to avoid tragic and unjustifiable deaths.”
Trump, for his part, has called himself the president “law and order.” During the NAPO meeting, Trump planned to present his speech to the National Association of Police Organizations on why the group should endorse him.
“Our officers have been under a cruel assault,” Trump said Monday during a roundtable discussion with people whose lives have been positively impacted by police. “Reckless politicians have slandered our heroes as enemies … These radical politicians want to vanish and abolish the police.”
Trump added: “My administration is in favor of security, the police and the fight against crime.”
Despite Biden’s efforts to align himself with both protesters and the police, some police unions appear to be reconsidering their support amid concerns that he has embraced “anti-police rhetoric.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“Joe Biden was a strong advocate for them years ago, and has now been kidnapped by anti-police rhetoric,” Paul Digiacomo, president of the Detective Endowment Association, told Fox Business. “There is a big question among our members if Joe Biden is going to stand up and support the police.”
Hillary Vaughn and Andrew O’Reilly of Fox News contributed to this report.
