House GOP to condemn ‘defund the police’ amid National Police Week

WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — In honor of National Police Week, House Republicans have put forth an array of resolutions calling for legislation to protect the nation’s law enforcement officers.

On Tuesday, lawmakers will meet on Capitol Hill to discuss the three resolutions and put them to a vote.

So far this year, 21 police officers have been shot and killed in the line of duty, including 23-year-old Euclid Police Department Police Officer Jacob Derbin who was killed Saturday after he was ambushed by a suspect while responding to a disturbance call.

The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial will be hosting events this week to remember officers killed in the line of duty.

“Every day, police officers pin on their shields and walk out the door, rushing into harm’s way to keep the rest of us safe. Being a police officer is more than what they do — it is who they are,” President Joe Biden wrote in a statement. “On Peace Officers Memorial Day and during Police Week, we recognize the incredible courage of our Nation’s police officers and honor the fallen heroes, whose ultimate sacrifice we can never repay.”

Condemn calls to defund police

The first resolution being put forward would condemn calls to defund the police, which surged in use during the George Floyd protests in 2020.

Floyd’s death at the hands of Minneapolis police officers spurred nationwide protests against police brutality and heightened scrutiny of law enforcement. It also led to a historic exodus of law enforcement officers nationwide.

As more and more officers left, many of the departments had to redeploy stretched resources by shifting officers away from investigative work or quality of life issues such as abandoned vehicles or noise violations to handle increases in crime and, in some cases, the shortages meant slower response times or limiting responses to emergencies only, police officials say.

Deadly shootings, home invasions, carjackings, illegal sideshows, businesses robbed at gunpoint and gun violence are just some of the violent crimes the country has been grappling with over the past many years. The increased crime is also an issue that will likely send voters to the polls in November.

Since the increase in violent crimes, many Democrats have come under fire for supporting policies that diverted funds from police departments. Now, many politicians — including Democrats — have called for refunding the police, saying funding is a vital component of protecting communities.

Require ICE detainment for migrants arrested for assaulting officers

Another proposal expected to be voted on this week would require migrants in the U.S. illegally who are arrested for assaulting law enforcement officers to be detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement for possible deportation.

Earlier this year, multiple immigrants were detained in connection to an attack on New York City police officers in Times Square. The case caused a firestorm of controversy when many of the suspects were arrested and then released without bail.

The outrage then led to the men being taken into custody again and sent to Riker’s Island to await trial. The suspects are facing a number of charges including assault on a police officer. They’ve all pleaded not guilty.

But that wasn’t the only incident so far this year that has sparked concern.

Agents working at the southern border have become fearful that migrants attempting to enter the country illegally are becoming increasingly aggressive toward law enforcement. Agents fear this aggressive behavior will continue to escalate at the border.

AG report on border crisis impact on police

The third resolution includes calls for Attorney General Merrick Garland to issue an official report on the impact of the border crisis on law enforcement agencies.

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, R-N.Y., introduced a new bill late last month called the “Police Our Border Act of 2024.” If passed, it would require Garland to submit a report to Congress detailing th effects the migrant surge at the border has had on agents. The bill will be brought forth this week to highlight the importance of keeping the nation’s law enforcement officers safe.

“Thanks to the open border policies of President Biden and Secretary Mayorkas, law enforcement agencies across the country are being overwhelmed by the millions of migrants and large quantities of dangerous narcotics like fentanyl flowing into the United States,” D’Esposito, a retired detective with the New York Police Department, said.

National Police Week candlelight vigil

This all comes after the annual National Police Week candlelight vigil along the National Mall, which honored law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in 2023.

High-ranking leaders and fellow officers also read their names.

“It’s bittersweet. It’s nice to see everybody come together, but it’s sad why we’re all here. For various husbands, children, brothers, sisters,” said Lynn Harris, whose son was killed in the line of duty. “Deputy Brett Harris was more than just a deputy. He was my son, and I loved him, and I’ll miss him forever.”

House Speaker Mike Johnson is scheduled to hold a vigil Tuesday evening on the steps of the Capitol to honor those same officers killed in the line of duty.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.