Police officers often have to make difficult choices that may have profound consequences, sometimes in a split second. The issue facing them today is equally grave, but they’ve had plenty of time to make a decision: whether to support Donald Trump for president.
Under ordinary circumstances, there would be no doubt whatsoever. The Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s biggest police union, gave him its approval in 2016 and 2020, lauding him as “a candidate who calls for law and order.”
The Chicago chapter of the FOP also endorsed him both times. A 2016 national poll for Police Magazine found that 84% of officers planned to vote for Trump, with only 8% choosing Hillary Clinton.
But that was before Trump was found guilty of serious crimes by a New York jury. That was before he was indicted in two federal cases charging him with mishandling classified documents and trying to overturn the 2020 election and in a state case for allegedly trying to overturn the election results in Georgia.
It was before a host of Trump associates were convicted of crimes and others were indicted. It was before Trump helped incite a mob of supporters who invaded the U.S. Capitol — resulting in nearly 1,000 arrests and hundreds of criminal charges.
Trump has long portrayed himself as the best friend cops could have. In a 2019 speech to the International Association of Chiefs of Police in Chicago, he declared: “Every day of my presidency, I will be your greatest and most loyal champion. I have been, and I will continue to be.”
He scorns the idea that they should exercise restraint. “Please don’t be too nice,” he told an audience of cops in 2017, lamenting that they are expected to protect suspects from hitting their heads when being placed in squad cars. His first attorney general, Jeff Sessions, denounced the consent decree that was created to address documented abuses in the Chicago Police Department.
But does Trump deserve their support? The job of police is to enforce the laws, catch and arrest criminals, and uphold public safety. Trump has made it his business to undermine law enforcement, encourage political violence and subvert the Constitution.
The Capitol insurrection should have put to rest the notion that Trump has the best interests of cops at heart. The rioters attacked some 140 officers with fire extinguishers, flag poles, hockey sticks, bear spray and other weapons. One of the officers, Michael Fanone, was shocked with a Taser and beaten unconscious, suffering a heart attack and traumatic brain injury.
What did Trump do that day? He sat in the White House, spurning pleas that he tell the mob to disperse. Nearly three hours passed before he finally did so — while avowing: “We love you. You’re very special.”
Hundreds of those who invaded the Capitol have been convicted of crimes, and others are awaiting trial. But Trump, who is not known for the quality of mercy, has demanded that the Jan. 6 “hostages” be released. He said he would look “very, very seriously at full pardons.”
Trump made a point of hugging a woman who went to jail for her role in the insurrection. One of his rallies included the playing of a recording of the national anthem sung by Jan. 6 defendants who are being held in jail.
His view of the Jan. 6 episode is clear. He has abundant sympathy for the rioters — and none for the cops who put their lives on the line.
As a jury concluded last week, he has committed at least 34 felonies. He faces trials on 54 other charges. But his offenses go beyond proven and alleged violations of the criminal code.
He has mounted a full-scale attack on law enforcement and the courts. Referring to a routine court-approved FBI search of his Mar-a-Lago home, he spread the ridiculous fantasy that the Justice Department had plotted his assassination.
He called the prosecutor and judge in the New York case “sick people” who had “rigged” his trial. He made a veiled threat of violent unrest from his supporters if he loses in November — violence that would likely put police in danger.
His denunciations are meant to destroy public faith in the American system of justice, which can only make the job of cops more difficult and dangerous. Trump, who claims to be the law-and-order candidate, is actually an agent of lawless chaos.
I emailed the Fraternal Order of Police twice to ask about its endorsement plans and got no response. John Catanzara, head of the Chicago chapter, told me his lodge will wait until the national organization makes its choice.
Even after his conviction, a Trump endorsement by police organizations would not be a surprise. But it would be a crime.
Steve Chapman was a member of the Tribune Editorial Board from 1981 to 2021. His columns, exclusive to the Tribune, appear the first Thursday of every month. He can be reached at stephenjchapman@icloud.com.
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