Politics

FLASHBACK: Obama Told Police That Risking Their Lives Was Part Of ‘Job You Signed Up For’

REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

Justin Caruso Contributor
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The newest media frenzy started Wednesday after President Trump allegedly disrespected a gold star widow by saying the fallen soldier “knew what he signed up for.”

However, former President Obama used nearly identical language in a 2009 speech given in front of a crowd at a police graduation in Columbus, Ohio.

Obama’s remarks read in part,

The job you signed up for is not easy. It can mean long shifts and late nights. It demands focus, and determination, and great bravery in the face of unknown dangers. When you run into that building or chase down that suspect, you will be risking your own life in order to protect the lives of men and women you have never met, and some that you may never know.

But you knew all that when you joined the academy. You knew the risks involved, you knew the sacrifices required, and yet you stood up and said, ‘I’ll take that risk. I’ll make that sacrifice. I will do that job.’

Florida Democrat Rep. Frederica Wilson said that Trump made gold star widow Myeshia Johnson cry when he called her to console her over the loss of Sgt. La David T. Johnson.

Specifically, she accused Trump of saying “something to the fact that he knew what he was getting into when he signed up.”

The media jumped on those comments, often ascribing to them the worst possible intent.

MSNBC’s Rick Tyler said Trump shouldn’t have called Johnson at all. (RELATED: MSNBC Panelist: Trump Shouldn’t Have Called Gold Star Widow At All [VIDEO])

Trump has defended himself, tweeting, “Democrat Congresswoman totally fabricated what I said to the wife of a soldier who died in action (and I have proof). Sad!”

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