How Did Donald Trump's Story about Police Heroes Help Him Make a Point about Immigration?

Donald Trump honoring fallen officers

Yesterday, President Donald Trump gave an important speech at the United States Capitol during a ceremony to honor fallen police officers. A worthy occasion. After his opening pleasantries, he said that "we are honored to have these cherished officers, and we're honored to have all of you with us today."  But how did this ceremonial occasion morph into a venue to oppose immigration?


Mr. Trump began with a simple, not very controversial thesis: "If we want to bring down violent crime, then we must stand up for our police." He then confronted those who spread "anti-police prejudice." After some more general principles along those lines, Mr. Trump cited some fallen heroes. He started with Police Lieutenant Aaron Allan, murdered while serving. He acknowledged Lt. Allan's family. He honored Las Vegas Officer Charleston Hartfield, killed off-duty while saving people during the Las Vegas massacre.

Donald Trump with Officer Familia's family

Mr. Trump invited the family of a slain police officer, Detective Miosotis Familia, to come onto the stage. Detective Familia's partner, Officer Maher, then spoke about her heroism. President Trump then noted that she was murdered merely because she was a police officer.

Mr. Trump then generalized to talk about police heroes:

"In a moment, we will listen to the roll call of these great, fallen officers.  As we read the names of your loved ones, we engrave them into the eternal chronicle of American valor."  

That was all fine. It was effective rhetoric, and to honor the officers and their families was totally in order. A good thing for a president to do.

But Donald Trump's number one campaign issue was to oppose immigration. So how did he work that into the speech?  Very cleverly!

One of the officers he honored was Border Patrol Agent Rogelio Martinez, killed while patrolling a dangerous area of the southwestern border. To honor Agent Martinez was right and proper. But then Mr. Trump said this, which followed logically from his admiration of Agent Martinez:

"The first duty of government is to protect our citizens, and the men and women of DHS are on the front lines of this incredible, heroic fight.  That is why we are calling on Congress to secure our borders, support our border agents, stop sanctuary cities, and shut down policies that release violent criminals back into our communities.  We don’t want it any longer.  We’ve had it.  Enough is enough.  (Applause.)"

OK, we all know that MS-13 is violent, and some areas of the Southwest are, indeed, dangerous. But fact-checkers have repeatedly shown that immigrants, including undocumented immigrants, are overall less likely to commit crimes than citizens.  So, logically, Mr. Trump's claim was a non-sequitur. Still, some immigrants commit crimes, and Mr. Trump's voting base obviously responded to his anti-immigration position.

The rhetorical technique that Mr. Trump used is juxtaposition. Mr. Trump put fallen police heroes, who represented good, side-by-side with  MS-13 and immigrants, who represented evil. He implied that unsecured borders and sanctuary cities caused crime and endangered officers. We could debate whether this is true in any large sense, but the juxtaposition made a powerful emotional appeal.  Agent Martinez' tragic sacrifice was relevant to Mr. Trump's claim, but was only one example, and hardly proves that the millions of documented and undocumented immigrants are criminals.
 
Mr. Trump then ended his speech by once again praising the fallen officers:  

"Thanks again to all of our wonderful police, our sheriffs, and all of law enforcement and law enforcement officers.  You’re incredible people.  You are the finest.  You are the greatest.  You are our heroes."

This made a nice package, didn't it? He praised the officers, and rightly so. He attacked loose immigration policies. Other than Agent Martinez' tragic sacrifice - which was an important point - he gave no general evidence about immigration. He then praised the officers again. Very persuasive.

See yesterday's post for another take on the rhetoric of juxtaposition.

P.S. Thank you to all sworn officers who give up a chance for fame, fortune, and safety to protect our communities from harm. 

Images from White House YouTube channel.