Exploiting dead cops for political gain ought to be a crime

Ruben Navarrette Jr. on Jan 20, 2019

Trump couldn't wait to jump onto Twitter and take full advantage of the pain suffered by that family and community. And for what? To push his crusade for a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border -- which may, or may not, have kept out Singh's assailant.

It was a shameless stunt. But, as we have learned over the last few years, in a variety of circumstances, no elected official in America has less shame than Donald Trump. The president has become a master of ghoulishly utilizing the death of police officers for short-term political benefit.

Personally, I'm deaf to the dog whistle. When I learn that a cop has been killed -- whether it's in the line of duty or off the job -- I think to myself: "How old was the officer, and how many years was he or she on the job? Was he or she married, and did he or she have children?"

I don't think: "Gee, I wonder if the killer was in the country illegally because then I'd really be furious!"

When a cop dies, I'm furious anyway -- and heartbroken. Memory immediately transports me back to that day in the mid-1970s when my own father, dressed in uniform with his service weapon on his hip, pulled me aside before he left to work. He told me that a man had threatened his life -- and that he may not come home, that I should take care of my younger siblings.

So, what kind of conversations did you have with your dad when you were 10 years old?

You see, for me, the concept of dead policemen is personal and painful. It's not just another issue du jour to be played with. Still, mercenary politicians use it as a chew toy. May they choke on it.

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Ruben Navarrette's email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.