President Trump made a trip to Capitol Hill Tuesday afternoon to honor fallen law enforcement officers at the annual National Peace Officers Memorial Service. During his remarks, President Trump told stories of officers killed in the line of duty and recognized their families.
"To the families and survivors with us this morning, I know today is filled with sadness and pain. But today is also filled with love, the love of an entire nation wrapped its arms. And they have wrapped their arms right around you. They love you. They're praying for you, they're grieving with you, and pledging to you that we will never forget our heroes, ever," Trump said. "This morning, I especially want to speak to the young sons and daughters who join us here today. I want you to know that your moms and dads were among the bravest Americans to ever live."
"When danger came, when darkness fell, when destruction loomed, they did not flinch. They were not afraid. They did not falter. They stared down danger, raced down alleys, chased down criminals, kicked down doors, and faced down evil. Brave," he continued. "And they did it all with courage, with dignity, with pride, with love for their nation and with love for their families. They lived every day of their lives by that most sacred calling: "to serve and protect. Their immortal legacy lives on in each and every one of you. Their strength lives in your soul, their courage glows in your heart, and their blood flows in your veins. And today, every American heart bleeds blue."
Trump called for attacks on police officers to end and reassured those in attendance his administration has their back.
"In 2016, an officer was assaulted in America on an average of every 10 minutes," he said. "It's outrageous and it's unacceptable. We must end the attacks on our police and we must end them right now. We believe criminals who kill our police should get the death penalty."
#PeaceOfficersMemorialDay pic.twitter.com/agxulpPyag
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2018
Today is one of the most important and solemn occasions of the year – the day we pay tribute to the Law Enforcement Heroes who gave their lives in the line of duty. They made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could live in safety and peace. We stand with our police (HEROES) 100%! pic.twitter.com/XDtYRUeOk1
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 15, 2018
After the ceremony, President Trump met with Republican leadership on Capitol Hill.
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