President Trump said he would destroy the dangerous street gang MS-13 in a speech Friday in Long Island, New York. He vowed to deport any gang members here illegally and promised to have the backs of police and law enforcement.
But some are questioning comments he made about how police should treat suspects they're arresting.
"When you guys put somebody in the car and you're protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over?” President Trump said. “Like, don't hit their head, and they just killed somebody - don't hit their head. I said, you can take the hand away, okay?"
Lieutenant Thomas Glover, President of Dallas' Black Police Association, said the comments were “irresponsible” and send the wrong message.
Lt. Glover said that in our current climate everything should be done to promote mutual respect and trust between the police and public.
He added that he hoped the president was joking and that he didn't believe any law enforcement officer would take a suggestion seriously to hurt a suspect, especially because they are innocent until proven guilty.
"In my 36-year career, I've ran across people who I thought committed serious crimes, seriously injured their wives or husband or children and it turned out they didn't,” Lt. Glover said. “If you begin to play judge and jury and allow people to get hurt, through your negligence or through your intentions, you are violating the law and you're no bigger than the people that are out there breaking the law intentionally."
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President Trump also promised in his speech to enforce the nation's laws, protect our borders and support police like never before.
