Retired Illinois Police Chief Tom Weitzel argues that the police vote, including family members and loved ones, could significantly impact the 2024 presidential election, with the focus on curbing crime and supporting law enforcement.
Retired Riverside, Illinois, Police Chief Tom Weitzel believes the 2024 presidential election hinges on a battle between lawlessness and law and order. The votes of law enforcement professionals and their families, he predicts, will determine the outcome, as police officers weigh the consequences of a potential Vice President Harris administration on American law enforcement.
"It's my personal belief that no police officer or family member should vote for [Harris'] agenda, because it's anti-police," Weitzel told Fox News Digital in an interview.
Cop Vote Could Sway Presidential Election as Lawlessness Pits Against Law and Order
Harris, the Democratic presidential nominee, has faced criticism for supporting the Minneapolis Freedom Fund, a bond fund that assisted in bailing out protesters arrested during the 2020 George Floyd riots, some of whom were accused of attacking police officers. Republicans have cited this as evidence of her lack of support for law enforcement.
On the other hand, former President Trump, the Republican nominee, has gained favor among police officers and first responders by demonstrating respect and support. During the Republican National Convention, he paid tribute to Corey Comperatore, a retired fire chief killed in an assassination attempt against Trump.
Cop Vote Could Sway Presidential Election as Lawlessness Pits Against Law and Order
"Corey, a highly respected former fire chief ... was accompanied by his wife, Helen ... and two precious daughters," Trump said. "He lost his life selflessly acting as a human shield to protect them from flying bullets ... what a fine man he was."
Weitzel believes Harris missed an opportunity to bridge the gap with police during her speech at the Democratic National Convention, while Trump's "human touch" in honoring Comperatore resonated with those in public safety.
Cop Vote Could Sway Presidential Election as Lawlessness Pits Against Law and Order
"They're very concerned [about a potential Harris administration]," Weitzel said of police officers. "You're talking about the United States Justice Department. You're talking about funding for police agencies, federal grant funding. You're talking about policies that would be set up nationally, and you would just have this framework [that's] anti-police and anti-police agenda."
Historically, Harris' career has been intertwined with law enforcement. She served as San Francisco's district attorney for seven years and California's attorney general. However, some have criticized her for declining to seek the death penalty in the 2004 murder of San Francisco police officer Isaac Espinoza and for not prosecuting certain criminals while in office.
Cop Vote Could Sway Presidential Election as Lawlessness Pits Against Law and Order
Weitzel urges law enforcement officers and their families to consider the issue of public safety as they cast their votes.
"Lawlessness is absolutely flooding this country," he said. "You can see it. All you have to do is follow any social media accounts. You can see it in local news. ... We see politicians put out that you can pretty much do what you want and disregard the police. And I can tell you that there are more and more police officers being assaulted, battered, attacked than ever before."
Cop Vote Could Sway Presidential Election as Lawlessness Pits Against Law and Order
According to Weitzel, the election comes down to a choice between "lawlessness vs. law and order." He predicts that police support for Trump will only increase as the election cycle progresses.
