Rose Garden Remarks

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Part 2 of a three part series.

On Tuesday, June 16, President Trump signed an executive order, establishing preliminary measures taken by the federal government to begin police reform.

Trump’s speech started strong, as he revealed in his Rose Garden remarks that he’d had met with nine families who had lost members as a result of police brutality or racially motivated killings. As he unveiled the details of the new order, he addressed his private meetings with the families of Ahmaud Arbery, Botham Jean, Antwon Rose, Atatiana Jefferson, Jemel Roberson, Michael Dean, Darius Tarver, Cameron lamb, and Everett Palmer. 

He spoke empathetically, reassuring “all of the hurting families, I want you to know that all Americans mourn by your side. Your loved ones will not have died in vain. We’re one nation, we grieve together and heal together. I can never imagine your pain or the depth of your anguish, but I can promise to fight for justice for all our people.”

His remarks soon turned to a defense of law enforcement, asserting that “Americans know the truth: Without police, there is chaos. Without law, there is anarchy. And without safety, there is catastrophe. We need leaders at every level of government who have the moral clarity to state these facts.”

He promised that “reducing crime and raising standards are not opposite goals. They’re not mutually exclusive.” Trump added that efforts to dismantle and dissolve the police force could lead to a dangerous society with an absence of law enforcement, “especially now when we’ve achieved the lowest recorded crime rates in American history.”

Despite the gathering being called to discuss his new executive order and the changed it would implement, Trump’s speech ended by emphasizing his administration’s accomplishments for minorities, passing criminal justice reform legislation and securing funding for historically black colleges and universities.

He then briefly retuned to the topic at hand, re-addressing police reform before signing the order.

“To go forward, we must seek cooperation, not confrontation. We must build upon our heritage, not tear it down. We must cherish the principles of America’s founding as we strive to deliver safe, beautiful, elegant justice and liberty for all.”