Former President Donald Trump first garnered the support of law enforcement in New York state.
Seven police, probation and sheriff’s unions in Suffolk County are expected to formally endorse the former president on Saturday, with one leader telling The Post that it was “an easy decision.”
“We have a candidate in Vice President Kamala Harris who wants to cut the police budget, and we have a candidate in President Trump who has defended police time and time again,” Suffolk County PBA Vice President Lou Sivero said Friday.
“So, for us, this was an easy decision.”
Mr Sivero will be making a statement of support on Saturday afternoon, along with leaders from the county’s Senior Police Officers Association, Detectives Association, Probation Officers Association, Criminal Investigators Association, Deputy Sheriffs Association, Court Officers Association and Police Conference.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) plans to endorse the former president in the state’s election. Conservative Party nomination event.
The PBA vice president told the Post that Harris’ support for the George Floyd Act was deadly to the union and its members, and that the added financial liability would exacerbate the current law enforcement recruitment and retention crisis.
“This bill limits qualified immunity, which means police officers who have to make split-second, life-threatening decisions not only have to worry about being killed, but also that their families will be sued,” he said.
Sivero also noted that Harris has previously criticized the federal government’s 1033 program, which provides a wide range of unused military equipment, from bulletproof vests to large armored vehicles, to local law enforcement agencies.
“If we’re not adequately prepared to deal with mass shootings, we’re going to see more and more lives lost. And I think President Trump understands that,” he said.
“In contrast, Kamala Harris has used that opportunity to demonize us and make it seem like we’re an occupying force, which is far from the truth.”
The Washington Post previously reported that the political tide has shifted toward the Republican Party across Long Island over the past few elections, with many Republicans elected at the county and local levels.
“I think he’ll be competitive here,” Sivero said, adding, “I think he’ll have a long career in New York state, just like Zeldin did.”
Harris, who was once California’s attorney general and the state’s “top cop,” made the endorsement after Trump was convicted in Manhattan court in May of 34 felony counts as part of a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments.
Despite growing Republican support on the island, the majority of voters statewide still lean left, leading Harris to be expected to win the state.
