Hansen: Honoring Jan. 6 attackers isn't making America great again

At a campaign rally in Glendale, former President Donald J. Trump received an endorsement from the Arizona Police Association.

Let's remember that there were over 100 injuries to police officers during the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, and a comprehensive review of police bodycam video revealed "approximately 1,000" assaults on law enforcement on that day.   

Yet, in one of the greatest acts of revisionism in U.S. history, Trump calls the Capitol attackers hostages and patriots and promises to pardon them on day one of his presidency.  He also defends rioters’ “Hang Mike Pence!” chants, calls Jan. 6 "a beautiful day” and has started his rallies with a version of the National Anthem performed by Jan. 6 prisoners.

Imagine how officers who were assaulted and their families feel when they hear Trump say, “They were there with love in their heart,” or when the officers are mocked by Fox News. According to Terry Fanone, the mother of D.C. police officer Michael Fanone, “It's outrageous. It’s so dehumanizing, it’s so devaluing,” And regarding the lack of criticism of Trump’s remarks by Republicans, she asserts, “The silence is palpable.”

Trump needs to rethink what he means when he talks about “making America great again.” Certainly, a great nation continues to honor the sacrifices of its police officers even when it’s not politically convenient to do so.

Editor’s note: Terry Hansen is a retired educator. Do you have an opinion on this issue? We’d like to hear from you. Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.