Backing Trump Re-Election A 'No-Brainer' For Chicago Police Union

CHICAGO – As a dedicated supporter of President Donald Trump and the head of a police union that recently endorsed Trump’s re-election bid, John Catanzara understands what it’s like to swim against the tide in a city where Democratic loyalties run deep.

But with less than two months to go before the November general election, Catanzara remains troubled over what’s happening below the surface of the city’s proverbial political waters and fears what could happen if Trump is defeated by challenger and former Vice President Joe Biden.

The Chicago Fraternal Order of Police board of directors’ unanimous endorsement of Trump last week came within days of the national FOP backing Trump, just as it did four years ago. Catanzara characterized the decision by the Lodge 7 board as a “no-brainer” given all Chicago police officers have endured in recent months, he said.

But considering what has happened since the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis — not only nationally but in Chicago, where heavy protesting and multiple rounds of looting have taken place — Catanzara, who called the leadership of Mayor Lori Lightfoot a "failure" in a letter to Trump this summer, believes a Trump victory in November would mean more for the city’s police officers than it did in 2016.

“(Democrats) have absolutely run this city into the ground, and they will not take blame in any way, shape or form,” Catanzara told Patch on Friday. “It’s always somebody else’s fault. It’s the finger-pointing way, it’s the Chicago way.”

An election victory for Trump would provide a major boost to the morale of city cops, who, Catanzara said, have been dealing with long hours, overtime and conflicts with protesters since Floyd’s death while in police custody. He said that the refusal of the majority of aldermen and Lightfoot to allow the National Guard to come to Chicago to lend support for local law enforcement efforts has made for a “frustrating and demoralizing reality” that involves a “constant moving the goalpost mentality” from the mayor’s office.

A win for the president, he said, would also force law and order to be pushed back to the forefront as opposed to lawlessness and mob rule, a lifestyle — Catanzara said — seems to be OK with Lightfoot. The union chief accuses Lightfoot of “steering the ship into an iceberg full speed ahead without even blinking an eye as if the iceberg is going to break when you hit it.” With another four years of Trump at the helm, Catanzara believes support from Washington would aid city police officers and help to turn Chicago in a different direction.

With no change and the fact Lightfoot has at least another 2 ½ years remaining in office, Catanzara sees an inevitable reality.

“We could literally be Detroit by then on the course we’re currently going.”

He added: “(Trump) has been a stalwart for supporting the men and women of this police department and constantly highlighting the issues within Chicago. Unfortunately, every time he does, all you get is goofy crap from the other side like they live in some other city and they have an alternate version of reality.”

To admit what’s happening with violence and uprisings against city police officers is to admit defeat, Catanzara said, pointing to Democratic leadership that he says refuses to point the finger at themselves. While Catanzara understands Chicago’s standing as a safe harbor for Democratic rule won’t be deterred by the union’s backing of Trump, he believes a silent majority could make a difference.

It’s that segment of the population, he insists, wants law and order with a safe city and neighborhoods to call home. Catanzara said the union’s communications with the White House have been minimal as he said it has been focusing more on local issues of late.

He does, however, feel confident that Trump can gain another four years in office. He points to Trump’s constant support for law enforcement as a reason to believe things can improve if Trump were to secure another four year. He said “propaganda spewed" from the mayor’s office has painted Trump in a certain light —one that Catanzara hopes can be negated by voters in the upcoming election.

“(People) see the reality of no law and order anywhere other than a handful of spots and I think they’re educated, intelligent and street smart enough to know that is what is going to make us a prosperous society — if we go the other way,” Catanzara said. “If we keep going down this downward spiral, our whole country is screwed, democracy would be screwed, capitalism would be screwed and you will not even recognize the United States of America in another generation.”

He added: “There is going to be a major piper to pay. It’s really scary to see what’s coming down the road.”