WASHINGTON – On the heels of Saturday’s mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue, there have been discussions nationally as to how the government should attempt to combat such violence.
During a teleconference with reporters Monday, Congressman Tom Reed said its important for Congress to provide resources to law enforcement by use bipartisan efforts.
“If you look at the resources given to the FBI, given to the Department of Homeland Security, there is bipartisan support for that security effort,” Reed said. “I think there’s direct communication with those agencies, and if they need it, I know we’ve demonstrated the ability as a Congress to stand with them to get them those resources.”
“I think it’s a question of the country coming together, putting country first, and it’s a question of making sure those resources continue and we stand with law enforcement and applaud their efforts.”
Reed says it’s imperative not to treat law enforcement as a “bad element” of society.
“One of the things we probably shouldn’t be doing, in my opinion, is attacking law enforcement and somehow giving the overture that law enforcement is a bad element of our society, as you’ve seen some efforts over the past few years try to put forward,” Reed said. “I think that’s the wrong message to law enforcement. I think we should always send a message to law enforcement that we know that they are good people, good men and women, standing firm to protect us.”
“Law enforcement will tell you that they have no room in their ranks for bad actors. We’re not afraid to confront that within law enforcement, but we should definitely send the message that law enforcement are the good guys not the bad guys.”
Reed was asked if President Trump is able to tone back his rhetoric as the midterm election approaches. In response, the Congressman said all parties should tone it down.
“I think all parties need to tone back that rhetoric,” Reed said. “The President has had people from both sides of the aisle encouraging folks to kick him, to confront folks in public.”
“I don’t think this is isolated to one commentary from one individual. I think this is something that is shared across both lines….At the end of the day, we can not condone violence, and we need to confront extremism, and we need to make sure that we always put the American idea of peace and security and democracy based on ballot box rather than fighting.”
When asked again about President Trump specifically, Reed said he’d let him speak for himself. Reed did, however, say that he’s previously expressed concern about Trump’s rhetoric.
Reed was joined by New Jersey Democratic Congressman Josh Gottheimer. The two congressmen co-chair The Problem Solvers Caucus.
