WASHINGTON — (Poll is at bottom of this post.) During his first five months in his return to office, President Donald Trump has made law enforcement and border security central through a series of prominent executive orders. Yet, his initial steps in this second term indicate a multifaceted strategy in backing law enforcement.
In January, Trump granted pardons and commutations to individuals linked to the January 6 Capitol events, labeling them as “political prisoners” and promising to “restore justice.” This decision faced backlash from various law enforcement officials.
Simultaneously, Trump has bolstered immigration enforcement through executive actions designed to enhance the scope and power of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). His executive order in April, titled Strengthening and Unleashing America’s Law Enforcement, instructs federal bodies to “maximize enforcement of immigration laws,” eliminate barriers hindering ICE, and amplify internal enforcement operations targeting repeat offenders and gang-linked noncitizens.
The order also advocates for stricter punishments for crimes against police officers and increased federal aid for state and local law enforcement.
On June 6, Trump released several executive orders to enhance drone security and streamline their operations. His directive urges the FAA to expedite approvals for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone activities while introducing new security measures against terrorism, espionage, and public safety threats.
As Trump nears six months into his second term, ThinBlueNews is seeking opinions: How do you rate his performance regarding support for law enforcement and public safety? Please participate in the poll below.