The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), America’s largest police union, has officially endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, citing his unwavering support for law enforcement and firm stance on public safety issues.
At a Glance
- The FOP, representing over 377,000 members, endorsed Trump for the third consecutive time.
- FOP National President Patrick Yoes announced the endorsement, emphasizing Trump’s strong support for law enforcement.
- Public safety and border security are highlighted as crucial campaign issues.
- The endorsement process involved input from 46 State Lodges, with Trump easily securing the required two-thirds support.
- Some law enforcement officials, including Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, have condemned the FOP’s endorsement.
FOP’s Endorsement Process and Rationale
The Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s oldest and largest police labor organization, has thrown its support behind Donald Trump’s bid for re-election. This endorsement comes after a thorough process involving input from all FOP members through 46 State Lodges. Trump easily secured the endorsement, surpassing the required two-thirds support from the State Lodges.
FOP National President Patrick Yoes emphasized the importance of public safety and border security in the upcoming election. He stated that the FOP’s members carefully considered the candidates’ positions on these critical issues.
National President Patrick Yoes announced today that the members of the FOP voted to endorse Donald J. Trump for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/kCcnPsKzPG
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) September 6, 2024
Trump’s Track Record and FOP’s Support
The FOP praised Trump’s support for law enforcement and border security during his first term. Yoes highlighted Trump’s stance during the summer of 2020, when he stood with law enforcement amid calls to defund the police. The union credits Trump’s policies with helping to decrease crime rates and sees his re-election as crucial to maintaining this trend.
“During his first term, President Trump made it clear he supported law enforcement and border security,” Yoes said. “In the summer of 2020, he stood with us when very few would. With his help, we defeated the ‘defund the police’ movement and, finally, we are seeing crime rates decrease. If we want to maintain these lower crime rates, we must re-elect Donald Trump.”
The endorsement process included consideration of both 2024 presidential candidates’ records, responses to the FOP’s questionnaire, and a letter from the Harris-Walz campaign. Notably, an FOP committee met personally with Trump, while no similar meeting was granted by the Harris-Walz campaign.
Reactions and Controversies
While the FOP’s endorsement carries significant weight, it has not been without controversy. Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, along with over 100 law enforcement officials nationwide, has condemned the FOP’s endorsement. Birkhead and others are instead endorsing Democratic nominee Kamala Harris, citing her experience as a former prosecutor and understanding of community needs.
The endorsement has also raised questions given Trump’s legal challenges and his supporters’ actions during the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. Critics argue that Trump’s rhetoric and actions have at times endangered law enforcement officers. However, the FOP maintains that Trump’s overall record and commitment to law and order align with their values and the interests of the policing community.
Implications for the 2024 Election
The FOP’s endorsement of Trump adds a significant perspective to the ongoing discussions surrounding law enforcement and governance in the 2024 election. With public safety and crime rates being key issues for voters, both Trump and Harris are actively courting law enforcement support. As the campaign progresses, the impact of this endorsement on voter perceptions and the broader debate on crime and policing will likely be closely watched by political analysts and the public alike.
