As the owner of the largest police news outlet in the world, including Law Enforcement Today and Blue Lives Matter, I want to speak directly to every federal agent and federal Task Force Officer (TFO) about something that is no longer optional in today’s climate: joining the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA).
I have had the opportunity to work closely with FLEOA and to serve as an associate member. Through that relationship, I have seen firsthand the depth of work this organization does, not just for its members, but for federal law enforcement as a whole. My team at The Silent Partner Marketing has been blessed to film with them across the country, telling the stories of federal law enforcement.
What many do not realize is that FLEOA is often working behind the scenes to protect benefits, careers, and legal rights long before most agents even know there is a threat.
We are entering difficult times. As President Donald Trump and his administration continue advancing aggressive public safety and border security policies, pushback is intensifying. Whether you support him or not is irrelevant to this discussion.
The reality is that when administrations take decisive action, federal agents are the ones tasked with carrying out lawful orders, and they often become the political target.
At the same time, hostility toward law enforcement is at an all-time high. Across the country we are seeing increased assaults on officers, targeted harassment campaigns, and the rise of doxing tactics designed to intimidate agents and their families. Personal information is being published online.
Homes are being protested. Families are being dragged into political disputes they had nothing to do with. The badge no longer stays at work. The risks follow you home.
This is another area where FLEOA provides tangible protection. FLEOA offers free options to its members to help scrub personal information from the internet to reduce the risk of being doxed. In today’s digital environment, that benefit alone can be invaluable. It is one of many member benefits and discounts available through the organization, all designed to protect and support federal law enforcement professionals both on and off duty.
We saw the dangers of political targeting intensify in 2020. Federal officers operating under lawful authority found themselves scrutinized, publicly attacked, and in some cases subjected to investigations and litigation simply for doing their jobs. When political winds shift, the first people exposed are the men and women wearing the badge.
This is where FLEOA matters.
Legal protection is not theoretical. It is tangible. It is expensive. And it becomes urgent overnight.
I recall speaking with FLEOA’s National President Mathew Silverman about a federal agent who called seeking assistance for an internal affairs matter.
Unfortunately, his membership had lapsed. It was a relatively minor case, and it still cost him $5,785 in attorney fees.
Later, FLEOA discovered he was, in fact, a member under a previous name due to a name change. FLEOA reimbursed the full $5,785.
Do the math.
At $175 per year, that single legal bill equates to more than three decades of membership dues.
Silverman also shared something sobering. He receives approximately seven calls every month from non-members seeking help, often after an officer-involved shooting or when facing termination. Those calls are some of the hardest to take because once the crisis begins, it is too late to join.
Beyond legal defense, FLEOA’s legislative team has been instrumental in protecting federal law enforcement benefits. During recent federal budget negotiations, proposals were introduced that would have significantly altered retirement benefits for federal officers, including:
- Moving from a High-3 to a High-5 retirement calculation
- Eliminating the Social Security supplement
- Increasing FERS contribution rates
FLEOA deployed its legislative team to Capitol Hill and successfully fought to prevent those changes from impacting federal law enforcement. That protection did not happen by accident. It happened because there was an organized voice representing you.
On the other side of FLEOA is the FLEO Foundation, the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the organization, run by Jon Adler and his team of warriors. The Foundation provides critical financial support to members who have been injured in the line of duty and to the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
The Foundation supports the children of fallen members well beyond the immediate aftermath of tragedy. Scholarships are awarded to members and their families. Assistance is provided for health and mental wellness. When necessary, the Foundation helps members access treatment facilities and recovery resources or rebuild after a natural disaster. This is real support delivered when families need it most.
This past November, I was proud to announce that the fundraiser my team hosted, The Big Blue Bash at Mar-a-Lago, would benefit the FLEO Foundation. I made that decision because I have seen firsthand the extraordinary work they do and I wanted to ensure the men and women who serve and protect this country have access to every possible resource.
I am also pleased to announce that we will be hosting the second Big Blue Bash on November 17, 2026, with the FLEO Foundation once again serving as the sole beneficiary of the evening. More information on this event will follow and I hope some of you can attend.
Part of the strong partnerships built around FLEOA and the Foundation includes collaboration with an outstanding company called Clear Armor. Clear Armor has generously donated a Jeep Gladiator Unlimited Rubicon featuring black leather-trim bucket seats, an 8-speed automatic transmission, and equipped with a bullet-resistant Executive Package.
The vehicle is armored with NIJ Level II-A protection by TruArmor, a Clear Armor LLC company. The total additional armored weight is only 385 pounds, maintaining performance while enhancing safety.
This Jeep has never been registered and is still considered brand new. You can enter the sweepstakes for this incredible vehicle here.
Another powerful reason to join FLEOA is the camaraderie and professional network it provides. FLEOA has approximately 100 chapters across the country, and every member joins a local chapter. These chapters host at least three events per year.
Members benefit from free or significantly discounted events where they can build relationships with federal law enforcement officers from a wide range of agencies.
In an era where isolation, stress, and public hostility are increasing, that network matters. Shared experience matters. Brotherhood and sisterhood matter.
This is not about politics. It is about preparedness.
You operate in an increasingly volatile environment, operationally, politically, and legally. Public sentiment can shift quickly. Prosecutors can change. Policies can reverse. Complaints can escalate. Your name can trend online overnight. One incident can define an entire career.
Membership in FLEOA is not an expense. It is risk mitigation. It is professional representation. It is legislative advocacy. It is financial protection. It is a support network.
If you are a federal agent, officer, or TFO, you should join today. Waiting until you need representation is not a strategy. It is a gamble.
We are living in uncertain times. The difference between protecting your career and jeopardizing your family’s financial security may come down to a decision that costs less than $15 a month.
That is not a hard decision.
Join FLEOA. Protect your career. Protect your family. Protect your future.
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