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Trump, the police and the spin

The president ripped into the violent MS-13 gang last week, and talked about crime and law enforcement and what his administration is doing about it. He had hundreds of law enforcement officers in the audience, and their applause made it clear that they were pleased the new President had replaced the old one and that the old one’s anti-police animus was gone from public life, that the war on police was over.

Trump talked about what his administration is doing to eradicate the MS-13 gang and the violence and mayhem it is spreading, particularly on Long Island, where he made the speech. He talked about the 17 young people murdered by MS-13 gang members on Long Island in the past 18 months. He went on to discuss the 42 minors in the DC region who entered the US unaccompanied in the last years of the Obama Administration, who are now implicated in MS-13-related violence, including 19 of those minors charged in murder or attempted murder.

And he talked about what his Administration is doing to slow the flow of illegal drugs coming in from Mexico, about human trafficking on our Southern border, and about stemming the flow of illegals coming into the country. He explained how his administration cuts off trade with countries that refuse to take deportees back – mostly criminals – and how quickly cutting off trade makes those countries change their policy.
He announced that ICE officers recently conducted the largest crackdown of alien criminal gangs in history, and how in just six weeks they arrested nearly 1400 suspects and seized more than 200 illegal firearms and nearly 600 pounds of narcotics.
He spoke about sanctuary cities that defy federal law and instead turn dangerous criminals back onto the streets instead of detaining them, as requested by the federal government, and what the government is doing to end the practice. And he spoke about the wall on the US-Mexican border, and how Congress just appropriated the first $1.6 billion to start construction.
Most importantly, he spoke about all that the federal government is now doing to support the police, to restore the American concept of the rule of law to criminal justice and law enforcement. All in all, Trump made a very pro-law enforcement speech – the kind of speech that never came from President Obama, and the kind of speech that Hillary Clinton, had she won the election, could never have brought herself to make.
But you wouldn’t know much about that speech if you read the news. Try this: Google “Trump Law Enforcement Speech” and see what comes up. “Trump Endorses Police Brutality,” or “Trump Just Delivered the Most Chilling Speech of his Presidency,” or how about “Trump calls for more Police Brutality?” No headlines about the surging murder rate in Los Angeles and Chicago, about knifings and slashing of children by MS-13 gang members, nothing about the opioid epidemic and the drug dealers and smugglers responsible. You would think all he did was to urge on police brutality.
And why? Because Trump ad libbed a quip about the use of force during an arrest. His staff said it was a joke, and in today’s climate that’s always dangerous. After describing the way MS-13 gang members slash children to death, he said, “you see these thugs being thrown into the back of a paddy wagon — you just see them thrown in, rough — I said, please don’t be too nice. Like when you guys put somebody in the car and you’re protecting their head, you know, the way you put their hand over? Like, don’t hit their head and they’ve just killed somebody — don’t hit their head. I said, you can take the hand away, okay?”
The police are obviously authorized to use force when needed, and every police department has strict rules on how force can be used. When it is abused there is a whole body of law that comes into play, including civil and criminal charges against the offending officer. Many suspects complain that police used excessive force, and most such complaints are dismissed after careful review. But the anti-police voices in the media begin with an irrebuttable presumption that the police are out-of-control, bigoted racists, and that’s made our streets less safe.
But of course I’m forgetting the worst thing Trump said. He talked about putting criminals in a “paddy wagon.” How shocking! A slur against the Irish.
Alfred Regnery is Chairman of the Law Enforcement Action Network. He previously served in the Department of Justice.

Rubio gets extra security after alleged assassination threat from Venezuelan politician

A top Venezuelan politician may have ordered Florida Sen. Marco Rubio to be assassinated after the senator unleashed a string of criticisms against the country’s government, Fox News has learned.

The possible threat led Rubio to take on a stronger security detail, including U.S. Capitol Police. Rubio was seen with additional security in both Washington and Miami.

SEN. MARCO RUBIO ON HIS MESSAGE TO THE VENEZUELAN PEOPLE
The alleged threat, which federal authorities could not confirm as authentic at the time, was believed to come from ruling party leader Diosdado Cabello, with whom Rubio has publicly feuded.
The Miami Herald reported that in a Homeland Security Department memo, it was revealed that Cabello did “order to have Senator Rubio assassinated,” though “no specific information regarding an assassination plot against Senator Rubio has been garnered thus far.”
U.S. Capitol security forces had planned to "beef up" protections for lawmakers following the shooting of House Majority Whip Steve Scalise, who was wounded on June 14 as Republican lawmakers practiced for the annual Congressional baseball game.
VENEZUELAN LEADERS WELCOME NEW AMERICAN SANCTIONS, SAY WASHINGTON'S ROLE IS PIVOTAL
Rubio has been vocally outspoken against Venezuela, once referring to Cabello as the "Pablo Escobar of Venezuela." Cabello responded by referring to the senator as "Narco Rubio."
The senator has not commented publicly on the possible threat.
Fox News' Chad Pergram contributed to this report.

Pence Begins South American Tour

Vice President Mike Pence speaks during the Tennessee Republican Party’s Statesmen’s Dinner at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, Aug. 3, 2017. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP)

OAN Newsroom
Vice President Mike Pence sets off for a tour of the tropics as instability in Venezuela continues to impact the region.
Pence met with Colombian President Juan Miguel Santos Sunday and is expected to ask for assurances that the country will cut the coca production, which fuels the cartel’s drug trade.
Pence will also make separate stops in Argentina, Chile and Panama where he will tour the newly expanded Panama Canal.
A White House statement said Pence will meet with South American business leaders to deepen bi-lateral trade and investment in the region.

Could Alabama GOP Primary Be a Referendum on McConnell?

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, flanked by Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY), and Sen. John Thune (R-SD), speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., U.S. (REUTERS/Aaron P. Bernstein)

OAN Newsroom
One of the most important primaries, which will be a big indicator on the tone of the 2018 election, will take place this upcoming Tuesday.
Perhaps the biggest question in this particular race will be if a future GOP candidate be with or against Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell?
McConnell is throwing his money and support behind incumbent Senator Luther Strange, who filled the seat vacated by now Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
Strange is also the candidate who has won the endorsement of President Trump.
However, the favored Republican is not leading in the polls despite the $8 million a McConnell lead PAC has spent in support of Strange.
Instead, polls have former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore on top at about 30% with Strange close on his heels at 28%-29%.
Moore has said that he thinks McConnell should be fired, however not as vehemently as his fellow candidate House Representative Mo Brooks who is currently in third in the polls at 18%-19%.
Tuesday’s top two candidates will go head-to-head in a September run-off.
If Strange fails to make the top two, his failure could have major implications for McConnell as both Brooks and Moore want to see McConnell replaced at Senate Majority Leader.
Even if Strange remains in the top two, McConnell still faces a hurdle in the September run-off.
This particular primary is very important for the Senate Majority Leader as it potentially represents a referendum on his failure to rally Congress to a health care win or achieve a legislative win for the Trump Administration agenda.
Whichever candidate ultimately takes the GOP nomination in September is a strong indication of how voters feel about the Kentucky Senator and his recent performance.