By Allan Lengel
The Fraternal Order of Police, the nation’s largest police union which endorsed Donald Trump for president, has issued a joint statement condemning him and President Biden for issuing commutations and pardons for people convicted of killing or assaulting law enforcement officers.
The statement did not specify which acts they were referring to, but it was clear it was aimed at Trump’s pardons and commutations of violent Jan. 6 rioters who attacked police, and Biden’s commutation of Indigenous activist Leonard Peltier, who was convicted of killing two FBI agents in 1975. He served about 50 years.
The statement is as follows:
The statement, issued with the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), conde) have had long standing and positive relationships with both President Trump and President Biden and have greatly appreciated their support of the policing profession. However, the IACP and FOP are deeply discouraged by the recent pardons and commutations granted by both the Biden and Trump Administrations to individuals convicted of killing or assaulting law enforcement officers. The IACP and FOP firmly believe that those convicted of such crimes should serve their full sentences.
Crimes against law enforcement are not just attacks on individuals or public safety — they are attacks on society and undermine the rule of law. Allowing those convicted of these crimes to be released early diminishes accountability and devalues the sacrifices made by courageous law enforcement officers and their families.
When perpetrators of crimes, especially serious crimes, are not held fully accountable, it sends a dangerous message that the consequences for attacking law enforcement are not severe, potentially emboldening others to commit similar acts of violence.
The IACP and FOP call on policymakers, judicial authorities, and community leaders to ensure that justice is upheld by enforcing full sentences, especially in cases involving violence against law enforcement. This approach reaffirms our commitment to the rule of law, public safety, and the protection of those who risk their lives for our communities.
