America’s largest police union, which supported Donald Trump during his election campaign, said in a statement on Tuesday that Trump’s decision to pardon more than 1,500 people convicted of the January 6 coup “Sends a dangerous message”.
Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), which Support Trump. In September 2024, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) warned that blanket amnesties offered to rioters – including those convicted of violent crimes, and many of the leaders of the attack on the Capitol – are putting Americans’ safety at risk. .
“The IACP and FOP are strongly discouraged by the recent pardons and commutations granted by both the Biden and Trump administrations to those convicted of killing or assaulting law enforcement officers. The IACP and “The FOP strongly believes that those guilty of such crimes should serve their full sentences,” the IACP and FOP said. statement said.
He continued: “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 is an act of accountability.” minimizes and honors the sacrifices of brave 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 of attacking law enforcement are not serious, potentially to others. encourage similar acts of violence.”
The FOP nevertheless supported Trump. To repeat During his presidential campaign, he planned to pardon those convicted in connection with the January 6 incident. About 140 U.S. Capitol Police and D.C. police officers were injured on January 6, and the attack has been linked to nine deaths.
Trump issued the pardon in one of his first acts in office. He clashed with his vice president, J.D. Vance. Said on January 12 That those responsible for the violence during the Capitol riots “obviously” should not be pardoned.
Many Republicans Scattered questions About the pardon on Tuesday, though Sen. Thom Tillis told Reuters: “You make this place less safe if you send the signal that police officers can potentially be attacked and there are no consequences.”
Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said in an interview With CNN: “I don’t think the blanket amnesty approach that includes people who have caused harm, physical harm, our police officers, others that have resulted in violence, I’m disappointed to see that.”
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She added: “And I fear the message that sends to the great men and women who stood by us.”
In a survey conducted earlier this month NPR/PBS News/Marist PollBefore Trump took office, nearly six in 10 Americans disapproved of Trump’s Jan. 6 pardon of those involved. 89 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of independents and 30 percent of Republicans rejected the pardon.
Similarly, A Reuters/Ipsos poll The report, due out Tuesday, found that 58 percent of respondents felt Trump should not have pardoned those convicted of crimes by Jan. 6.
