I Will Always Stand with Our Men and Women in Blue
Crime has skyrocketed in Central Washington, and across the country, thanks to President Biden and far-left Democrats’ anti-police rhetoric and policies.
In 2021 alone, 617 officers across the nation lost their lives in the line of duty. According to the FBI, more police officers were murdered in the line of duty during President Biden’s first year in office than any year since 1995—and many of these officers were killed in unprovoked attacks, like Washington State’s own Deputy Dom Calata and Officer Dan Rocha.
And today, as National Police Week begins, we honor their heroic service.
Nothing justifies the targeting and murdering of law enforcement. Whether on regularly scheduled patrol duty or answering an emergent call for help, law enforcement officers put on their uniforms every day with no guarantee they will return home safely. They swear an oath to protect and defend their communities, and they do so with pride. Our law enforcement officers deserve nothing less than our full support.
The past few years have been especially tough for America’s police officers. As a direct result of the “defund the police” movement, communities across the country have suffered a dramatic increase in crime. Major cities are breaking annual homicide records, smash-and-grab robberies have become all too common, and carjackings are at record highs—especially in our own backyard. State legislation that denies law enforcement the ability to detain, pursue and investigate criminal activity has led to an 88% increase in vehicle thefts statewide since 2021.
And our officers have stood strong through it all.
I am grateful to our law enforcement officers for their service to our communities and understand the incredible commitment they make in choosing to wear the uniform. I am also deeply concerned with the anti-police policies the State of Washington and Congress has implemented and continues to consider. Calls to defund, dismantle, and “abolish” the police have created a more treacherous climate for officers and negatively impacted morale among the force. According to the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs, Washington State is ranked 51st out of the 50 states and District of Columbia for the number of officers per thousand people. That is unacceptable.
While there have been positive steps taken to overturn some of this harmful legislation, I urge the men and women in Central Washington to continue to contact their state representatives to let them know that you support police officers’ ability to do their jobs and keep your communities safe. I will never stop fighting in Congress to ensure our law enforcement officers have the resources and support they need, and I will always stand with our men and women in blue and their families.