President Donald Trump is garnering more support from law enforcement after the nation’s largest police union, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), announced they are endorsing him.
In a unanimous vote, the organization agreed to support Trump praising his “calls for law and order.”
“Public safety will undoubtedly be a main focus for voters in this year’s election. Look at what the national discourse has focused on for the last six months,” National President Patrick Yoes said in a statement.
He added, “President Trump has shown time after time that he supports our law enforcement officers and understands the issues our members face every day. The FOP is proud to endorse a candidate who calls for law and order across our nation. He has the full and enthusiastic support of the FOP.”
According to the organization, the decision was made through canvassing the more than 355,000 members throughout the country.
Yoes reiterated the president is dedicated to supporting law enforcement and protecting Americans.
“During his first four years, President Trump has made it crystal clear that he has our backs,” Yoes said.
He continued, “Our members know that he listens to the concerns of our brothers and sisters in uniform and is able to make tough decisions on the issues most important to law enforcement. President Trump is committed to keeping our communities and families safe.”
Trump took to Twitter to express his appreciation for the endorsement.
“A GREAT HONOR, THANK YOU!” he said.
A GREAT HONOR, THANK YOU! https://t.co/SYM0wk5cqn
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 4, 2020
The organization distributed a questionnaire to both Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.
It received responses from the campaigns in July and sent them to members of the FOP for consideration.
The FOP noted the organization’s influence and stressed the importance of choosing a candidate that would best represent its vision for the nation moving forward.
“As the nation’s oldest and largest law enforcement labor organization, the FOP’s presidential endorsement is one of the most sought-after endorsements by candidates running for the presidency,” Yoes said.
He went on, “The FOP is the number one voice of America’s law enforcement. We have a responsibility to our members, to the 800,000 sworn law enforcement officers in the United States, and to the communities they serve to do our part in determining the direction in which our country will head.”
According to the FOP, it has endorsed candidates from both parties in the past.