Watch: Trump Ditches Entourage, Literally Runs to Greet Cops
Public opinion may be split when it comes to President Donald Trump, but there’s one thing even his harshest critics can’t deny: He appreciates America’s law enforcement officers.
If there was ever any doubt, it should be erased by a video from Wednesday. While in his home state of New York, Trump noticed a group of police officers standing away from the crowd, and what happened next speaks volumes about his character.
With his entourage and the presidential helicopter Marine One waiting, the president decided that there was something important he needed to do before climbing aboard the aircraft.
“Trump abruptly turned and broke ranks with his aides and Secret Service detail and ran, or as best a 71-year-old man can run, a short jog and then swiftly walked the rest of the way over to the assembled police where he shook their hands and returned a salute from one of the officers,” the Gateway Pundit reported.
“Video was posted by Assistant to the President Dan Scavino, Jr., Wednesday evening. Scavino noted the officers were with Nassau County and New York State Police,” the outlet continued.
.@POTUS @realDonaldTrump loves our law enforcement officers all around the country – as seen here with @NYSPolice and @NassauCountyPD on his way to Marine One in Bethpage, New York. #LESM🚔🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/HP0JpiXFYz
— Dan Scavino Jr. Archived (@Scavino45) May 23, 2018
The video shows Trump taking the time to warmly and personally thank each of the gathered cops for their service.
It wasn’t the first time Wednesday the president spent time with first responders. Earlier in the day, he was spotted mingling and smiling with New York firefighters.
“Thank you to all of the incredible law enforcement officers and firefighters in Bethpage, New York. Keep up the great work!” he posted on Twitter, along with a few snapshots from the day.
It’s worth remembering that Trump was in New York City on the morning of 9/11, an event that no doubt impacted his and almost every American’s views of firefighters and police officers.
“As the granddaughter of a firefighter I’m so proud to work for a president who supports the men and women of fire departments across the country, as seen here today in Bethpage, NY,” wrote press secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders, along with a photo of Trump surrounded by the fire department.
As the granddaughter of a firefighter I’m so proud to work for a president who supports the men and women of fire departments across the country, as seen here today in Bethpage, NY. pic.twitter.com/zVcZuD187b
— Sarah Sanders (@PressSec) May 23, 2018
What is most clear from the video and photos is how genuine the president is with first responders. There is no element of it feeling forced or political, and it’s easy to imagine Trump jogging over to greet firefighters and police officers even if there were no cameras.
That’s a significant difference from former President Barack Obama’s time in the White House. In fact, one of Obama’s earliest scandals was when he declared that “police acted stupidly” during the arrest of Henry Louis Gates, who was questioned after appearing to break into a home.
Despite admitting to not knowing the facts, Obama decided to spout off about police anyway, a decision that would set the tone for the rest of his presidency.
Obama’s lukewarm response to other incidents, including the deadly Dallas ambush on police officers by a man connected to the “Black Lives Matter” movement, and failing to back police officers in Ferguson, Missouri, further soured his public image among those who wear the badge.
There seems to be far less ambiguity with Trump. America knows where he stands — and that is should-to-shoulder with the thin blue line, going out of his way to show appreciation for the men and women who have some of the toughest jobs in the country.
Truth and Accuracy
We are committed to truth and accuracy in all of our journalism. Read our editorial standards.
Advertise with The Western Journal and reach millions of highly engaged readers, while supporting our work. Advertise Today.
