We need more of this

I must admit that I’m feeling a little reassured by some developments in the arena of law enforcement and justice. Recent reports highlight a renewed emphasis on accountability across multiple domains. Among these stories, we see that Tina Peters will be released from her Colorado jail cell in June; people are being indicted for fraud involving SNAP, hospice care, and Medicare/Medicaid scams; and Jeanine Pirro will be cracking down on the parents of rioting juveniles. These actions reflect a strong recommitment to law and order. Vice President J.D. Vance spoke powerfully at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service, invoking Isaiah 6:8 to honor law enforcement officers who answer the call “to their last breath.” In that passage, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” This personifies the attitude of our first responders. Vance’s words celebrated their selfless service and sacrifice, reinforcing gratitude for those who protect our communities. This support is not universal. A House resolution honoring police amid record assaults on law enforcement officers saw unanimous Republican backing but was opposed by 173 Democrats. What surprises me is that 29 Democrats actually voted in support of the bill. This contrast underscores the need for broader cultural and political commitment to backing the blue. Nevertheless, accountability is advancing on multiple fronts. Representative Randy Fine (R-Fla.) warned judges who repeatedly release violent criminals that “your day in court is coming,” citing tragic cases enabled by leniency. In D.C., U.S. attorney Jeanine Pirro is targeting “teen takeovers,” warning that negligent parents could face fines or jail time for failing to supervise minors involved in violence and robberies. “Parents: Do your job. Or we will do ours.” Federal prosecutors are also clawing back taxpayer funds. In one week, the National Fraud Enforcement Division announced arrests, convictions, and sentences tied to over $340 million in fraud, spanning COVID relief scams, Medicare schemes, unemployment fraud, and other federal programs. Moving from domestic issues to the international front, the administration’s counterterrorism efforts have just delivered dramatic results. FBI agents brought Mohammad al Saadi, leader of an Iran-backed Iraqi terror group responsible for over 20 attacks in Europe and Canada and planning U.S. strikes, to New York in handcuffs. Jose Enrique Martinez Flores (“Chuqui”) is a high-ranking Tren de Aragua leader and is accused of directing drug-trafficking, extortion, prostitution, and murders. He was just extradited to the U.S. in shackles. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, U.S. operators working with local forces eliminated Abu-Bilal-al-Minuki, ISIS’s second-in-command globally and a figure linked to countless deaths, including the deaths of many Christians. These represent a single day of decisive action under President Trump. Americans should salute the intelligence professionals, law enforcement officers, diplomats, military operators, and support personnel across the White House, Department of Defense, United States Special Operations Command, State Department, and Justice Department who make such operations possible. These few examples demonstrate the tangible benefits of resolve, deterrence, and accountability. A society that honors its protectors, enforces consequences, and confronts threats proactively builds greater security and trust. We need more of these actions. But, sadly and predictably, the left largely opposes them. Image via Picryl.