Political Quotes

“Well, let me simply say that I've asked the Attorney General for an update on our crime bill. And he's also going to brief me on the Department's review of allegations of police misconduct generally, and then the Los Angeles case specifically. We've all seen those shocking videotapes and have seen transcripts of the incident in Los Angeles. And without getting into the specifics of the case, those terrible scenes stir us all to demand an end to gratuitous violence and brutality. Law enforcement officials cannot place themselves above the law that they are sworn to defend. This administration will investigate possible breaches of Federal law aggressively and will prosecute violators to the full extent of the law. The vast majority of our law enforcement professionals obey the law scrupulously--even in situations of great danger, even when they suspect that the criminals they arrest soon may go free. These brave men and women need the support of local governments. I have supported, and I will continue to vigorously support, honest police officers who obey the law. I have in my mind that 83 police officers, just in the last 15 months, have lost their lives in the line of duty. They need the support of the court system, and they need the faith and the support of local citizens. Nothing is more important than defending a sense of national decency and promoting the rule of law. I was shocked by what I saw in that tape--that violence. And to the degree there's a Federal role here, I'm confident we will go the extra mile to see that that is fulfilled. I might add that the Attorney General and I remain fully committed to the passage of our crime bill which would give us the tools we need to more effectively wage the war against crime. And as I said on my statement to the Congress, I would hope that Congress would move fast. I think there's strong support now in Congress for this legislation. Thank you all very much.”