The oldest and largest police union in the United States endorsed former President Donald Trump for president late last week, citing his strong pro-police record.
The Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), which has more than 377,000 members, announced on Friday that its members had voted to endorse Trump after undergoing a “thorough and inclusive” endorsement process.
“I am so honored to receive the Fraternal Order of Police official endorsement for President of the United States,” Trump posted on X. “Thank you!”
FOP National President Patrick Yoes said that after the vote there was “no doubt—zero doubt—as to who they want as our President for the next four years: Donald J. Trump.”
“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 FOP said that the organization considered both candidate’s records as well as Trump’s responses to the questionnaire that the FOP sent him.
Democrat presidential nominee Kamala Harris did not respond to the FOP’s questionnaire but her campaign instead sent a letter describing its alleged positions on criminal justice and police labor issues.
“An FOP committee met personally with former President Trump, but no similar meeting was granted by the Harris-Walz campaign,” the FOP said in a a statement. “This information was provided to the more than 377,000 members of the FOP so they could make their own decision in this election.”
The organization has mostly endorsed Republicans for president but did endorse former President Bill Clinton in 1996. They did not make an endorsement in 2012.
“The National FOP endorsed Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020. He led our nation through some very tough times,” Yoes added. “He provided our nation with strong, effective leadership during his first term, and now that he is seeking election to a second term, we intend to help him win it.”
Our presidential endorsement process is thorough and inclusive, involving over 377,000 members across the nation. Today, it’s a privilege to announce that the collective will of our members has led us to endorse Donald J. Trump for President. We’re committed to supporting… pic.twitter.com/RGQbEzroX9
— National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) (@GLFOP) September 6, 2024