President Donald Trump, to a crowd at the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, explained exactly how he – and many Americans – feel about the recent increase in violence against police officers.
During his speech, Fox News reports, Trump said, “I also want to take a moment to speak to all the law enforcement families that are here today. You make tremendous sacrifices.”
“American families can sleep soundly at night because of the burden you carry for all of us. So, behalf of all Americans, to every law enforcement family here today and all across the nation, thank you, thank you, thank you very much,” he added.
After a robust applause, he continued, “And you do that under the most difficult conditions. You very rarely get the recognition you deserve, I can tell you that. But, your families know what you deserve and ultimately that’s the most important thing.”
The President then turned up the adoration.
“It’s not a news story when our officers save a life, rescue a family or stop a crime – it’s just another day on the job. Yet, no matter the circumstances, you serve tirelessly, selflessly, and heroically.”
Trump also said there is a certain distinction from police officers and others in the workforce, elevating law enforcement officers to answering a “calling.”
“You do it because you really believe in doing your duty and doing it properly. Being a police officer is not just a career, it’s a calling. And I’ve seen it – I have so many friends that are police officers, so many people in the FBI – these are great, great people.”
He then recognized law enforcement officers by the title they are aptly due.
“These are really heroes for all of us. So thank you very much.”
(Another applause)
“We as a country need to do a better job showing our police officers the respect and gratitude [they] have earned. And we will do that,” Trump continued.
Trump gave the law enforcement officials in the audience a message to deliver to their respective precincts.
“When you return home to your local precincts, I want you to deliver a message to your fellow officers, ‘The President of the United States has your back 100 percent,’ Trump said.
(Applause)
“I will fight for you and I will never, ever let you down – ever. Now, more than ever, we must support the men and women in blue.”
Well said.
The President added, “In the last two years, America has seen a tragic rise in violent crime. In 2015 and 2016, we witnessed the steepest increase in murders that we have in nearly half a century.”
He then called out a front runner in violent crime statistics: the city of Chicago.
“And you look at what’s going on in Chicago – what the h**l is going on in Chicago? What the h**l is happening there?
(Applause)
He added, “For the second year in a row, a person was shot in Chicago every three hours. The people in this room would stop that.”
Trump then mentioned a city much closer to Washington D.C.
“Just north of our nation’s capital, in Baltimore, on average someone was murdered nearly everyday this year. Police departments are overstretched, underfunded, and they’re totally underappreciated.”
(Applause)
He then went after anti-police sentiment.
“Instead of holding up our police as the role models and mentors they are, they have been subjected to malicious attacks on their character and their integrity. This anti-police sentiment is wrong and it’s dangerous and we will not stand for it.”
And he addressed an increase in violence against police officers.
“Most concerning of all, we have seen an alarming increase of violence crime carried out against our police officers. Last year, in America, a police officer was assaulted on average every ten minutes. In 2016, more than 140 officers lost their lives serving in the line of duty.”
“These deaths fill our hearts with pain and with grief. Every drop of blood spilled from our men and women in blue is a wound inflicted on our nation. And when a brother or sister in uniform is hurt, on that day, all of America bleeds blue.”
“I want to send a message today to those who threaten violence against our police. We will protect those who protect us and we believe criminals who kill police officers should get the death penalty.”
The comment was met with a thunderous applause from the crowd.
