Trump: ‘Thin Blue Line’ Stands ‘Between Civilization and Chaos’

President Donald Trump promised that one of his administration’s top priorities is “to ensure that our police are finally treated fairly, with honor and respect that they deserve” during a speech delivered on Monday at the 36th Annual National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service in Washington, D.C.

In honor of National Police Week, the president stood in solidarity with the members of the law enforcement community and the families and friends of the “364 brave souls” who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty last year. Promising to provide law enforcement officials with the tools and resources they need “to do their jobs and come home to their families,” Trump thanked the officers for being “the thin blue line between civilization and chaos.”

“We owe it to their memory to put truth before politics, justice before agendas, and to put the safety and security of the American people above everything else.”

“Words cannot express the depths of our gratitude, but I hope that our actions will show you how deeply we care and how strongly we feel about protecting those who protect us,” Trump said during the memorial service.

“As long as I’m president, you will always find an open door to the White House,” Trump added. “Whatever you need, we are here for you and we are praying for you.”

Just prior to Trump’s speech, the White House released a statement in which the president pledged to aid the Department of Justice in its efforts “to improve the lives of law enforcement officers and their families.” In particular, the administration announced it would support the Officer Safety and Wellness Group, as well as aid in accelerating the processing of benefits through the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program for fallen officers’ families.

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In honor of the police officers’ service, Trump announced that the White House would be lit blue Monday evening.

“Because you do not hear it nearly often enough, I want you to know that patriotic Americans of all backgrounds truly support and love our police,” Trump said. “And the very sad thing is that many of today’s politicians don’t want to say that, don’t want to talk about that because it’s not politically correct, or they think it might hurt them with the voters. I will say it, and I will talk about it proudly.”

The president acknowledged the increasing threats of targeting and violence law enforcement officers faced in 2016 and over the last two decades, saying, “the attacks on our police must end, and they must end right now.”

“The attacks on our police are a stain on the very fabric of our society, and you are entitled to leadership at the highest level that will draw a bright line in the sand — not a red line in the sand that isn’t gone over, but a bright line in the sand — and we will protect you. That I can tell you,” Trump said. “And we will say, ‘enough is enough.'”

The president also specifically called out members of the criminal gang MS-13, saying, “Freedom includes the right to be free — and I mean totally free — from crime and from violence. MS-13 is going to be gone from our streets very soon, believe me.”

Pledging that the country owes it to the fallen “to act according to our best and highest ideals,” Trump noted that the country is experiencing “an era in which our police have been subject to unfair defamation and vilification,” as well as “hostility and violence.”

“We owe it to their memory to put truth before politics, justice before agendas, and to put the safety and security of the American people above everything else,” Trump said. “It is time to work with our cops, not again them, but to support them in making our streets safe — not to obstruct them, which we’re doing. We obstruct them.”

“It is time for all Americans from all parties and all beliefs to join together in a simple goal to ensure that every child in America has the right to grow up in safety, security and peace,” the president added.

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The president called for the nation to come together and unify in support of law enforcement officers.

“Every drop of blood spilled from our heroes in blue is a wound inflicted upon the whole country. And every heartache known by your families in law enforcement is a sorrow shared by the entire family of the American nation,” Trump said. “And it is our duty as a people and a nation to prove worthy of their sacrifice. And that begins with showing our police the appreciation they have earned a thousand times over.”

Vice President Mike Pence also joined in the president’s homage to the fallen officers and their families as he reminded those gathered that Trump’s “highest priority is the safety and security of the American people.”

“This president knows in his heart that to make America safe again, we must also restore the tradition of respect and honor that is owed to every member of the law enforcement community in America,” Pence said.

Together, both Pence and Trump called for a restoration of American unity and for American citizens from all backgrounds and walks of life set to set aside their differences and embrace law and order.

“May today be the beginning of a new era of respect and appreciation for law enforcement,” Trump concluded. “May this ceremony bring new hope to those in search of healing, harmony and peace.”