In a recent proclamation recognizing National Police Week, President Joe Biden appeared to blame law enforcement officers for fueling “distrust” in “Black and brown communities.”
The president began by praising police for their service, noting the dangers officers face each day, acknowledging those who lost their lives in the line of duty, and recognizing the myriad demands the pandemic has caused. He promised his administration would “ensure they have the resources and research tools they need to do their jobs successfully.”
The 750 words of remarks then turned partisan, reciting grievances and dubious points reminiscent of anti-police activists.
“This year, we also recognize that in many of our communities, especially Black and brown communities, there is a deep sense of distrust towards law enforcement,” the proclamation said in part.
Biden rehashed “recent deaths of several Black and brown people at the hands of law enforcement” that resulted in “fear, trauma, pain, and exhaustion.” He claimed government and law enforcement agencies “must ensure accountability for misconduct.”
“Joe Biden insulted me as a law enforcement officer with this proclamation,” a police officer told Alpha News Wednesday.
“Why point out a few situations that are quite rare in the thousands of contacts we have per day? When we are losing officers, why not encourage young people to pursue a career in law enforcement?” the officer continued.
National Police Week, a tradition started by Democratic President John F. Kennedy in 1962, takes place every May and pays “special recognition to those law enforcement officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty for the safety and protection of others.”
“The reference to mistrust amongst communities of color is irrelevant to an event honoring officers who made the ultimate sacrifice. Imagine bringing up the My Lai Massacre on Memorial Day or priests’ scandals on Good Friday. If the president wants to unify America, he failed in this easiest of tasks and instead divided us. Seems he needs to appeal to the Defund the Police crowd for some unbeknownst reason,” the police officer added.
Biden also faced criticism last month when he said he was “praying for the right verdict” in former Minneapolis officer Derek Chauvin’s trial, which many believed was an inappropriate comment to make before the jury concluded its deliberations.
A.J. Kaufman
A.J. Kaufman is an Alpha News columnist. His work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Florida Sun-Sentinel, Indianapolis Star, Israel National News, Orange County Register, St. Cloud Times, Star-Tribune, and across AIM Media Midwest and the Internet. Kaufman previously worked as a school teacher and military historian.
