CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Donald Trump visited Charlotte Friday to address the National Fraternal Order of Police in a private event.
It's an organization of sworn law enforcement officers in the U.S.
The President of the Fraternal Order said the agency thought it was important for Trump to come and talk about issues facing their profession. Trump has locked down support from the FOP, the largest law enforcement organization in the world. Friday’s endorsement marks the third consecutive election in which he has earned their backing.
Trump criticized the Biden-Harris administration, claiming it has made America less safe by making it easier to cross into the United States illegally. He argued that he would be tougher on prosecuting crime than the former district attorney and claimed that not only are neighborhoods less safe for Americans, but they are also more dangerous for police.
“I promise you I will never tell you we’re going to defund the police. I will only tell you we might overfund the police. We’ll be overbudget,” Trump said. “We will not defund the police. We will overfund, over budget.”
Trump also highlighted his long history of support from police officers, boasting about his use of the 10-33 program, which provided nearly $2 billion worth of unused military equipment to police departments across the country. Additionally, Trump outlined several policy plans he intends to push for if he wins reelection.
“A 10-year minimum sentence for anyone guilty of human smuggling. A guaranteed life sentence for anyone guilty of child trafficking. And the death penalty for drug dealers and anyone guilty of child or woman sex trafficking, which they are doing at numbers which are massive. And we’re all calling for a strong death penalty for anyone who kills a police officer.”
Both Trump and Vice President Harris have spent significant time in North Carolina. The latest poll from ECU shows a very tight race, with Trump ahead by 1%.
You can watch the full speech below.
Vice President Kamala Harris is in Pittsburgh preparing for next week's debate.
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