GOP Honors Police While Nominating A Criminal

MILWAUKEE — Republicans Tuesday night accused Democrats of being weak on crime and not backing law enforcement — while simultaneously praising their nominee, convicted criminal Donald Trump, and disparaging the prosecutors and judges holding him to account.

“We in the Republican party are the law and order team. We always have been, and we always will be, the advocates for the rule of law,” said House Speaker Mike Johnson, of Louisiana.

“Donald Trump stands with the people and the police, our men and women in blue, not with the criminals and rioters,” added Minnesota Rep. Tom Emmer.

And New York Rep. Elise Stefanik accused federal and state prosecutors who have brought indictments against him of doing so only to help President Joe Biden. “Corrupt Democrat prosecutors and judges wage illegal and unconstitutional lawfare against Trump,” she said.

They and other speakers during the Republican National Convention’s “Make America Safe Once Again” night were cheered on with “back the blue” chants from delegates waving placards printed with the same message.

One retired police officer finished his remarks on stage with a salute to Trump, who is now a convicted felon awaiting a possible prison sentence. Trump, sitting in his special section of the arena, stood and saluted back.

The show enraged police officers who were beaten and gassed by Trump’s followers after he incited them into attacking the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in an attempt to stop the certification of Biden’s election win.

“Donald Trump and his Republican Party destroyed my life and stole my livelihood,” said Michael Fanone, a former Washington, D.C., police officer who was shocked by Trump’s mob with a Taser until he suffered a heart attack. “His supporters spit