Trump to Issue Executive Order on Police Reform
President Donald Trump said on Thursday in Dallas, Texas, that he is finalizing an executive order on police reform.
“Were working to finalize an executive order that will encourage police departments nationwide to meet the most current professional standards for the use of force, including tactics for de-escalation,” Trump said at a roundtable with law enforcement, faith leaders, and small business owners at Gateway Church in Dallas.
“Also, well encourage pilot programs that allow social workers to join certain law enforcement officers so that they work together,” he said.
“Well take care of our police. Were not defunding police—if anything, were going the other route. Were going to make sure our police are well trained, perfectly trained, [and that] they have the best equipment,” the president continued, to applause.
Trump later clarified the idea of encouraging police departments to “meet the most current professional standards of force.”
“That means force, but force with compassion,” he said. “But if youre going to have to really do a job, if somebodys really bad, youre going to have to do it with real strength, real power.”
“That means force, but force with compassion.”
“And I said—and people said Oh, I dont know if we like that expression—I said, we have to dominate the streets.
“What happened in New York City, the damage theyve done … you cant let that happen,” the president said, to prolonged applause and cheering. “You have to dominate the street.”
“And I was criticized for that statement. … Well, guess what, you know who dominated the streets? People who you dont want to dominate the streets, and look at the damage they did.”
Trump expressed his incredulity at the far-lefts idea of defunding the police.
“Im thinking, what happens late at night when you make that call to 911 and theres nobody there? What do you do?” Trump said. “Whether youre white, black, or anybody else, youre dialling, and theres somebody breaking into a house, and happens to be a violent person.
“Were going to have stronger police forces because thats what you need,” Trump said.
He said what was needed in America was for all levels of government to “invest more energy and resources in police training and recruiting and community engagement.”
“We have to respect our police, we have to take care of our police. Theyre protecting us and if theyre allowed to do their jobs, theyd do a great job,” he added.
Top Republicans and Democrats—including Trump and Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden— have expressed bipartisan opposition to the idea of defunding local and state police forces across the nation.
The idea to defund the police appears to have broad support by both violent extremists and those among the peaceful protesters in nationwide demonstrations after the death of George Floyd on May 25 in Minneapolis. The idea has been promoted by far-left Democrats including Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.).
