Sweet Signs of Progress; a Bill to Strengthen Ties Between Federal and Local Law Enforcement
Plus sage words of comfort that have been on my mind all week
With all the negativity stuffing our newsfeeds and timelines, it’s easy to become cynical. There's no denying that dysfunction (and yes, evil) has gained a foothold in our nation and world and that we’re engaged in a cultural tug of war.
There are, however, signs of progress being made. Given that there’s typically more profit in serving up negativity, you may not be aware of them.
This past week, for example, the Protect and Serve Act gained 29 new co-sponsors in the U.S. House of Representatives! This is big. As you know, this bill (S. 167 / H.R. 1551) would make it a federal crime to knowingly assault a local, state, or federal officer.
You can find extensive information about the Protect and Serve Act here. I wrote this during the last congressional session, though the newly-introduced bill is essentially the same.
And in the State of Virginia
Though the circumstances surrounding this case are tragic, I was heartened to see that the individual convicted of killing an officer of the law in Virginia is receiving 100 years behind bars.
This should be the standard, not an anomaly.
In a recent public announcement, Justin Miyares, Virginia’s Attorney General, had this to say:
To those who seek to harm the brave men and women who wear the badge—know this:
We will find you.
We will arrest you.
We will prosecute you.
And if you take an officer’s life, you will never see the light of day again—that’s a promise.
—Justin Miyares, Attorney General for Virginia
Progress may not be happening at the speed we want, but it is happening. There’s reason to be hopeful. Sit tight.
Help Us Amplify Our Collective Voice
Since my last post, we’ve gained new dedicated police supporters who will be helping us collaborate for our May lobbying event. If you’re a police or public safety advocate, let me know if you’d like to join the team!
A New Federal Bill to Strengthen Alliances Between Federal and Local Law Enforcement
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) rely on partnerships with local law enforcement agencies to carry out their mission of removing dangerous illegal migrants from our streets.
The 287(g) program, which has been on the books since 1996, allows local police departments to voluntarily enter into working agreements with ICE and receive dedicated training. The program, however, has been poorly utilized.
I was shocked to learn that of approximately 18,000 state and local law enforcement agencies in the U.S., only 135 participate. In fact, there have been no new agreements entered into since 2021.
The 287(g) Program Protection Act (H.R. 756), introduced by Rep. Michael Cloud (TX), would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to strengthen this crucial program and make it more widely available to law enforcement agencies across the country.
You can read more about this important bill here. If you agree with this piece of legislation, please urge your member of Congress to support it.
Great Things Happen When We Focus and Prioritize
If you’re a person of faith, you already know that God is a God of order and peace. Even if you’re not a believer, I’m betting you detest chaos.
Whichever camp you’re in, I hope you’ll find comfort in these sage words by Pastor Corey Brooks.
People will cheer ‘Hosanna’ on Sunday and scream ‘Crucify Him’ by Friday. Stop chasing their approval—it’s fake and fickle. Live to please God, not a crowd.
—Pastor Corey Brooks
The Pastor’s words have been on my mind all week, and I hope you find as much comfort in them as I have. They’re also another useful tool I plan to use whenever I feel my focus wavering.
It’s a reminder that this journey isn’t about chasing social media likes, gaining approval, or striving for “celebrity” status. It’s about restoring our nation to a place where all Americans can be (and feel) safe when walking the streets, where police officers are treated with respect and dignity, and chaos is defeated.
To accomplish this goal, we need to be laser focused.
I’m by no means suggesting that we become oblivious to other events happening in our nation and across the world. Without prioritizing the end goal of shepherding key bills through the legislature, however, we’ll be back where we started. None of us want that.
Thanks for taking time from your day to read this. Please reach out or comment below.
Best. : )
For the Blue is a solutions-based initiative. I’m just an American patriot asking questions. I don’t work with any political party and I answer to nobody. For me, the health of the nation, due process (including for police officers), the rule of law, and respect for individual liberties, will always transcend party affiliation. I welcome your thoughts, even if you disagree; though personal attacks will be ignored. You can reach me at fortheblue@substack.com.