Cops under attack in N.D., hit Obama’s lack of support

Reacting to Obama’s Tuesday comments, National Sheriffs’ Association Executive Director and CEO Jonathan Thompson said, “Mr. President, this is not a game. As we saw in Iowa this morning, where two police officers were ambushed and murdered, law enforcement is real life and, all too often, real death.”

Obama said that while he is eager to see a resolution to the protest, including a rerouting of the pipeline away from Native American grounds, his comments gave short shrift to the growing violence against officers caught in the middle.

Thompson said that there have been riots and 415 arrests, and a huge majority are outside agitators including Hollywood stars like Shailene Woodley.

“This includes militant agitators with long histories of violence, including domestic assault, child abuse and burglary. Protesters have allegedly fired a weapon and thrown Molotov Cocktails at law enforcement and President Obama is ‘going to let it play out for several more weeks.’ Mr. President, this is not a game,” he said.

“Letting it play out, as the president has recommended, puts precious lives – protesters, workers, tribal members, ranchers, farmers and law enforcement – in danger. Unless the president can provide us with assistance and support, the president should be held partially responsible for the fear, terror, and damage caused by violent, militant out-of-state agitators,” added Thompson.

Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected]