WASHINGTON, D.C. — House Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy issued a statement on the executive order President Donald Trump signed Tuesday morning.
The executive order is aimed at changing policing practices as weeks-long protests against police brutality continue to take place across the country. Trump signed the order at an event at the White House Rose Garden.
Trump's encouraged police departments to update their training and enact higher standards. He is also encouraging departments to implement accreditation policies for officers.
According to senior White House officials, who briefed reporters Monday by phone, the President will also recommend departments call upon social workers to team up with officers when they respond to a non-violent 911 call.
In his statement, McCarthy said Americans are crying out for change and that the executive order is designed to help restore public trust.
"A free and open society calls for its citizens to be treated equally under the law and for law enforcement officers to have access to the resources they need to keep Americans safe. Today marks an important step towards those goals," said the statement. "Today’s executive order released by the administration strives to fulfill these shared goals. Its overall vision is nested in strengthening community-law enforcement relationships and restoring public trust. "
McCarthy went on to commend President Trump on his leadership during "this critical time."
Read the Full Statement Below (Emphasis McCarthy's):
"A free and open society calls for its citizens to be treated equally under the law and for law enforcement officers to have access to the resources they need to keep Americans safe. Today marks an important step towards those goals.
"To create the consequential change needed in our country we must focus on three main aspects: transparency to build community trust, enhancing performance by pushing for training that will help our officers carry out their duties, and lastly, we need to ensure cops who fail to uphold their oath are held accountable. These priorities are shared by President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ forthcoming legislative proposals.
"Today’s executive order released by the administration strives to fulfill these shared goals. Its overall vision is nested in strengthening community-law enforcement relationships and restoring public trust. It will help accomplish this by setting a standard for credentialing across law enforcement agencies, mandating more robust information sharing, prioritizing specially designed training to help officers better serve their communities, and incentivizes police departments to retain and recruit high-performing officers.
"I commend President Trump’s leadership during this critical time, as he is taking action to help our cops serve their communities better. These are meaningful solutions, as opposed to Democrat efforts to defund the police and encourage anarchy. We look forward to seeing the legislative proposals Attorney General Barr will be sending to Congress and working with him and his team going forward to help our communities. Americans are crying out for change, it is our job to listen and strive for a more perfect union. This marks the first step in taking that necessary action."
