FOP Makes Big Announcement

In a significant show of support for law enforcement, the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), the oldest and largest police union in the U.S., officially endorsed former President Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election.

This endorsement, announced late last week, carries considerable weight given the FOP’s extensive membership of more than 377,000 officers across the country. The decision comes after a thorough endorsement process in which the FOP leadership and members reviewed the records of both Trump and his Democratic opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris.

Trump, never one to shy away from vocalizing his pro-police stance, took to X (formerly Twitter) to express his gratitude: “I am so honored to receive the Fraternal Order of Police official endorsement for President of the United States,” he posted. “Thank you!”

FOP National President Patrick Yoes elaborated on the decision, stating that there was “no doubt—zero doubt” among the organization’s members about who they wanted to lead the nation for the next four years: Donald J. Trump. Yoes credited Trump’s firm support for law enforcement during his first term and his pivotal role in opposing the “defund the police” movement that gained traction in 2020. According to Yoes, Trump’s leadership was instrumental in helping to bring down crime rates, a trend that the FOP believes will continue under a second Trump administration.

“During his first term, President Trump made it clear he supported law enforcement and border security,” Yoes emphasized. “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 endorsement process was no casual affair. Both candidates were evaluated based on their records, and Trump was sent a detailed questionnaire by the organization. Not only did Trump respond, but he also met personally with the FOP, reinforcing his commitment to law enforcement. On the other hand, the Harris campaign did not engage in the same way. Instead of answering the FOP’s questionnaire, Harris’s campaign sent a letter outlining its positions on criminal justice and police labor issues, which evidently did little to sway the union.

The lack of personal engagement from the Harris campaign appeared to be a critical factor in the FOP’s decision. “An FOP committee met personally with former President Trump, but no similar meeting was granted by the Harris-Walz campaign,” the FOP stated. The organization made sure that this information was distributed to its entire membership, allowing the officers themselves to make an informed decision regarding their endorsement.

The FOP has a long history of political endorsements, and while they have primarily backed Republicans in recent decades, they are not a strictly partisan organization. For example, the FOP endorsed former Democratic President Bill Clinton for reelection in 1996. However, they notably chose not to endorse any candidate in the 2012 election, illustrating their willingness to withhold support when they feel neither candidate meets their standards.

Yoes pointed out that this is not the first time the FOP has thrown its weight behind Trump. The organization also endorsed him in both 2016 and 2020, during which they believe he provided “strong, effective leadership” in navigating the country through some of its most challenging times. From widespread protests and civil unrest in 2020 to managing public safety during a global pandemic, the FOP clearly views Trump’s leadership as a stabilizing force for law enforcement.

Trump’s endorsement from the FOP is no small matter, especially as the nation grapples with ongoing debates over police reform, public safety, and the role of law enforcement. The “defund the police” movement, which gained momentum following high-profile incidents of police misconduct, is still a contentious issue.  The FOP endorsement indicates that a large portion of law enforcement officers across the nation believe Trump is the candidate who will stand up for their profession in a political climate that has grown increasingly hostile toward traditional policing.

Looking ahead, Yoes made it clear that the FOP is not just passively endorsing Trump—they are fully prepared to help him win. “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,” Yoes declared.