Written by Joe Diamond, Producer of Cop Talk
If President Trump were to lean into his Patton-like leadership style and leverage his deep bonds with America’s guardians, it may uniquely position him to transform policing on an epic scale. As America struggles with surging crime, the immigration crisis, and the ongoing breakdown of the rule of law, this transformation is way overdue.
In recent weeks Trump spoke movingly at the wake of a slain police officer, offering condolences and praising the bravery and sacrifice of those in uniform. He also received a major endorsement from the Police Officers Association of Michigan, which boasts 12,000 members.
By embracing an expanded conception of presidential leadership - one that envisions the chief executive as not only Commander in Chief of the armed forces, but also the nation's "Protector in Chief" - Trump could set America on a footing that ensures we not only survive but thrive as we approach and move beyond our 250th birthday.
The Protector in Chief concept aligns with the expanded role that law enforcement will likely have under Trump. All of America’s most pressing problems, from fixing the border to reigning in the administrative state to making our cities safe again, will require the strategic, constitutionally sound use of law enforcement in bold and imaginative ways.
Trump's approach to policing could be summed up in three words: Empower, Protect, Provide. His aim of empowering cops is exemplified by his public, unequivocal embrace of law enforcement and pledge to crack down on cop-hating politicians and Soros prosecutors who undermine the police.
Trump's concerns for the well-being of the law enforcement community are reflected in his calls for strengthening officers' qualified immunity and increasing penalties for assaults on cops. His goal of giving cops all the manpower and tools they need to do their jobs drives his push for record funding to hire and retain police.
On the campaign trail, Trump's "Empower, Protect, Provide" message is likely to resonate extremely well in a swing state like Pennsylvania -- especially the suburbs near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with their large populations of retired and active military personnel and law enforcement officers.
One of the main arenas where Trump's vigorous approach will be tested is the immigration crisis. The Trump campaign has pledged to end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico, and eliminate asylum fraud. His advisors hint at forging a partnership of law enforcement at all levels to remove violent illegal immigrants.
Veteran cop Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first term, exemplifies the potential for this kind of synergy. ICE-local law enforcement task forces targeting these threats would be important indicators of Trump principles at work.
Wielding the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause against abuses by officials who weaponize the justice system for political ends would also reflect these priorities. Many criminologists have pointed out that “decarceral” approaches to public safety that claim to balance justice with the concerns of minority defendants often lead to tragic situations where minority communities end up disproportionately victimized.
President Trump can address this crisis by launching an Equal Protection Initiative that dedicates cops and trusted prosecutors to crack down on systemic 14th Amendment violations, hold offenders accountable, and collaborate with local jurisdictions to promote best practices. By enforcing the law and proactively building trust, this initiative would send a clear message that a two-tiered system of justice will not be tolerated.
While such efforts would inevitably spark controversy, Trump's strong support from law enforcement suggests an authentic alignment with the priorities of those on the front lines.
Ironically, the radical far left - the same folks most intent on crushing America under the heel of totalitarianism - will scream the loudest that his vision amounts to a push for an unaccountable "secret police." But this claim doesn’t square with Trump’s very public embrace of law enforcement and his calls for transparency and accountability for officials who abuse their power.
His repeated denunciation of totalitarian communists and fascists highlights his loathing of the Stalinist and Hitlerian police states they revere, and his dedication to our constitutional republic and the rule of law. (Less hysterical observers see in him a potential American Augustus, who preserved the spirit and essence of Rome, allowing it to rise to unprecedented historical heights and permanently set the course of western civilization.)
If Trump were to move decisively on these fronts, by the end of 2025 he could rightly boast of having laid the foundation for the free world's most effective police force - a respected American Freedom Force that will help secure President Trump's long-term vision for the republic.
He would wear the Protector in Chief mantle as easily and naturally as Teddy Roosevelt wore his Rough Rider hat, solidifying his place in history as a leader who not only talked tough but delivered concrete results.
With an American Freedom Force at his side, Trump could craft a legacy of safeguarding freedom and democracy, ensuring that the ideals upon which the nation was founded remain resilient in the face of adversity. As he looks back on his presidency, he could proudly declare that he did not just make America great again, but he also fortified its position as a beacon of liberty for generations to come.
If President Trump were to lean into his Patton-like leadership style and leverage his deep bonds with America’s guardians, it may uniquely position him to transform policing on an epic scale. As America struggles with surging crime, the immigration crisis, and the ongoing breakdown of the rule of law, this transformation is way overdue.
In recent weeks Trump spoke movingly at the wake of a slain police officer, offering condolences and praising the bravery and sacrifice of those in uniform. He also received a major endorsement from the Police Officers Association of Michigan, which boasts 12,000 members.
By embracing an expanded conception of presidential leadership - one that envisions the chief executive as not only Commander in Chief of the armed forces, but also the nation's "Protector in Chief" - Trump could set America on a footing that ensures we not only survive but thrive as we approach and move beyond our 250th birthday.
The Protector in Chief concept aligns with the expanded role that law enforcement will likely have under Trump. All of America’s most pressing problems, from fixing the border to reigning in the administrative state to making our cities safe again, will require the strategic, constitutionally sound use of law enforcement in bold and imaginative ways.
Trump's approach to policing could be summed up in three words: Empower, Protect, Provide. His aim of empowering cops is exemplified by his public, unequivocal embrace of law enforcement and pledge to crack down on cop-hating politicians and Soros prosecutors who undermine the police.
Trump's concerns for the well-being of the law enforcement community are reflected in his calls for strengthening officers' qualified immunity and increasing penalties for assaults on cops. His goal of giving cops all the manpower and tools they need to do their jobs drives his push for record funding to hire and retain police.
On the campaign trail, Trump's "Empower, Protect, Provide" message is likely to resonate extremely well in a swing state like Pennsylvania -- especially the suburbs near Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with their large populations of retired and active military personnel and law enforcement officers.
One of the main arenas where Trump's vigorous approach will be tested is the immigration crisis. The Trump campaign has pledged to end catch-and-release, restore Remain in Mexico, and eliminate asylum fraud. His advisors hint at forging a partnership of law enforcement at all levels to remove violent illegal immigrants.
Veteran cop Tom Homan, who served as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during Trump's first term, exemplifies the potential for this kind of synergy. ICE-local law enforcement task forces targeting these threats would be important indicators of Trump principles at work.
Wielding the 14th Amendment’s Equal Protection Clause against abuses by officials who weaponize the justice system for political ends would also reflect these priorities. Many criminologists have pointed out that “decarceral” approaches to public safety that claim to balance justice with the concerns of minority defendants often lead to tragic situations where minority communities end up disproportionately victimized.
President Trump can address this crisis by launching an Equal Protection Initiative that dedicates cops and trusted prosecutors to crack down on systemic 14th Amendment violations, hold offenders accountable, and collaborate with local jurisdictions to promote best practices. By enforcing the law and proactively building trust, this initiative would send a clear message that a two-tiered system of justice will not be tolerated.
While such efforts would inevitably spark controversy, Trump's strong support from law enforcement suggests an authentic alignment with the priorities of those on the front lines.
Ironically, the radical far left - the same folks most intent on crushing America under the heel of totalitarianism - will scream the loudest that his vision amounts to a push for an unaccountable "secret police." But this claim doesn’t square with Trump’s very public embrace of law enforcement and his calls for transparency and accountability for officials who abuse their power.
His repeated denunciation of totalitarian communists and fascists highlights his loathing of the Stalinist and Hitlerian police states they revere, and his dedication to our constitutional republic and the rule of law. (Less hysterical observers see in him a potential American Augustus, who preserved the spirit and essence of Rome, allowing it to rise to unprecedented historical heights and permanently set the course of western civilization.)
If Trump were to move decisively on these fronts, by the end of 2025 he could rightly boast of having laid the foundation for the free world's most effective police force - a respected American Freedom Force that will help secure President Trump's long-term vision for the republic.
He would wear the Protector in Chief mantle as easily and naturally as Teddy Roosevelt wore his Rough Rider hat, solidifying his place in history as a leader who not only talked tough but delivered concrete results.
With an American Freedom Force at his side, Trump could craft a legacy of safeguarding freedom and democracy, ensuring that the ideals upon which the nation was founded remain resilient in the face of adversity. As he looks back on his presidency, he could proudly declare that he did not just make America great again, but he also fortified its position as a beacon of liberty for generations to come.
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