Donald Trump speaks at the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio at the Quicken Loans Arena.
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the nation’s largest police union, endorsed Republican Donald Trump for president after two-thirds of the national board. While most labor unions back Hillary Clinton, despite her only newly-found opposition to the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Mr. Trump made a big push for the support of the police union as his rival showed support for anti-police groups.
“[Trump] has seriously looked at the issues facing law enforcement today. He understands and supports our priorities and our members believe he will make America safe again,” said Chuck Canterbury, the FOP’s national president.
The @GLFOP has made an endorsement for President of the United States. pic.twitter.com/L5ydPsNauI
— National FOP (@GLFOP) September 16, 2016
“He’s made a real commitment to America’s law enforcement and we’re proud to make a commitment to him and his campaign by endorsing his candidacy today.”
In May, the New York businessman met with top officials from the FOP at Trump Tower and conducted frequent campaign events at the police union’s local chapters. Meanwhile, Mrs. Clinton declined to fill out a questionnaire necessary to earn the group’s endorsement for fear she would upset Black Lives Matter (BLM).
“I’m on your side 1,000 percent,” Trump told an FOP chapter in North Carolina in August. “What you do is incredible.”
The group said Mrs. Clinton’s refusal as a snub, and Canterbury referenced it in his statement Friday.
“Obviously this is an unusual election. We have a candidate who declined to seek an endorsement and a candidate without any record as an elected official,” he said. “Donald Trump may not ever have been elected to public [office] but he is a proven leader and that’s what we need for the next four years — a leader unafraid to make tough choices and see them through.”
The FOP did not endorse a presidential candidate in 2012 after backing Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) in 2008. The group has not endorsed a Democratic presidential nominee since Bill Clinton in 1996. Mr. Trump, during and after the Republican National Convention in Cleveland, Ohio, has made “law and order” a central part of his campaign message. Mrs. Clinton has touted the backing of unelected politically appointed officials like outgoing New York Police Commissioner Bill Bratton, while polling shows law enforcement rank-and-file overwhelmingly support Mr. Trump.
