On Monday, President Donald Trump honored law enforcement by proclaiming May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day. The White House was lit up in blue on Monday evening to mark the occasion.
#PeaceOfficersMemorialDay and#PoliceWeek Proclamation: https://t.co/o4IXVfZuHw pic.twitter.com/UMJ6hklx4a
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 16, 2017
Peace Officers Memorial Day served as a kick off for Police Week, which is meant to remember the 118 officers who lost their lives and 66 others who were injured in the line of duty in 2016. The Washington Examiner reports those figures mark a 40 percent increase from 2015.
Trump marked the occasion with an Oval Office ceremony before delivering a speech on west lawn of the White House, during which he praised law enforcement for their public service and reiterated his administration’s commitment to their safety.
“As long as I’m president, you will always find an open door to the White House,” he said. “The attacks on our police are a stain on the very fabric of our society… We will protect you… and we will say, enough is enough.”
Trump’s actions on Monday stood in contrast to former President Barack Obama’s July 2016 refusal to illuminate the White House following the attack on Dallas police officers, despite the request of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Foundation. In June 2015, Obama had ordered the White House to be lit in rainbow colors to celebrate the Supreme Court’s ruling in favor of same-sex marriage.
(H/T: IJR)