President Trump honored the 394 police officers killed in the line of duty over the past year, vowing on Monday to voice his support for the nation’s law enforcement community despite the “defamation” leveled at police.
“We are living through an era in which our police have been subject to unfair defamation,” Trump said during a memorial ceremony at the U.S. Capitol. “The attacks on our police are a stain on the very fabric of our society.”
Trump affirmed his unwavering support for police officers, arguing he would continue to back the police despite “politically correct” pressure to criticize law enforcement.
“A very sad thing is that many of today’s politicians don’t want to say that, don’t want to talk about that, because it’s not politically correct,” Trump said. “I will say it and I will talk about it proudly.”
Trump pledged to purge the streets of gang violence, particularly in low-income communities and cities that suffer from higher crime rates.
“Now as president my highest duty is to keep America safe,” Trump said. “And included in safe means safe from crimes, safe from terrorists, and safe from all enemies foreign and domestic.”
“I will always support the incredible men and women of law enforcement as much as you have always supported me. And you did, big league,” Trump added. “You are the thin blue line between civilization and chaos.”
The president assured officers, and the families of fallen law enforcement agents, that they would continue to be a priority for his administration.
“As long as I’m president, you will always find an open door to the White House,” Trump told the audience of law enforcement officers.
Vice President Mike Pence, who spoke before Trump, and Attorney General Jeff Sessions also attended the event.
Flanked by officers from police departments who have recently lost office, Trump signed a proclamation in honor of National Police Week in the Oval Office earlier Monday and told them he had directed the Justice Department “to develop a strategy to better prevent and prosecute crimes of violence against federal, state, tribal and local law enforcement officers.”
“They’ve had it with what’s going on, and we’re going to get it taken care of. We’re going to get it taken care of quickly,” Trump said during the brief signing ceremony at the White House. “Some of you have suffered greatly and we’re going to take care of it, OK? We’re going to take care of it.” The White House will be lit in blue on Monday evening to honor fallen police officers.
