In-town pool report #9 — law enforcement event

Shortly before 5 pm, your pool was ushered into the Oval Office for what was advised on the daily guidance as, simply, a "Law Enforcement Event." Once there, it became clear that Trump was presenting three "Medals of Sacrifice" to the families and loved ones of law enforcement officers and first responders who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Trump awarded the first three such medals to Palm Beach County deputies who were killed last November after being struck by an SUV: Deputy Ignacio "Dan" Diaz, Deputy Luis Paez, and Deputy Ralph "Butch" Waller. At the time, Trump attended the funeral.

(Here is an article about the crash: https://www.palmbeachpost.com/story/news/local/wellington/2024/12/03/they-were-lions-family-friends-honor-pbso-deputies-killed-in-crash/76731087007/)

Trump was joined by his son Eric and his wife, Lara, as well as Representatives Byron Donalds and Brian Mast. Trump also noted Pam Bondi in attendance, but your pooler didn't personally spot the attorney general.

The medals were produced by the Arnault Family, the family behind the luxury jewelry retailer, Tiffany & Co, and Alexandre Arnault was also there, from France, to help with the presentation. At one point, seemingly puzzled on how to open the first medal box, Trump turned to Arnualt and joked, "You want to help with that one? You're the one who made it." (Arnault stepped forward to help unlatch the box).

Displaying a deft understanding of Trump's politics, Arnault noted that the medals were produced "in Providence, Rhode Island, in our largest factory in the U.S." and that they are made from silver and "plated in 24 karat gold, just like the ceiling of this office."

When asked, Trump said he was looking at giving out additional posthumous medals retroactively, and also presented a fourth medal to a member of the Palm Beach County sheriffs, saying he hoped the sheriff would never need to present it.

"Hopefully it's maybe never going to be given out," Trump said, before noting that the sheriff will "have it, if something happens, and I hope it never has to be given out, frankly."

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Ashley Parker

Staff Writer | The Atlantic

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