The largest police union in America just endorsed Trump’s tax relief bill that helps officers keep more of their hard-earned money while supporting public safety nationwide.
Key Takeaways
- The National Fraternal Order of Police, representing 364,000 officers, strongly endorses President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”
- The bill provides tax deductions on overtime pay for officers earning under $160,000
- It increases SALT deductions to $40,000 for those earning less than $500,000, helping officers who must live in expensive jurisdictions
- The legislation passed the House by a narrow 215-214 vote but faces challenges in the Senate
- FOP President Patrick Yoes praised Trump’s commitment to law enforcement through this tax relief
Police Union Embraces Trump’s Tax Relief for Officers
The National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), America’s largest police union representing over 364,000 law enforcement officers, has thrown its weight behind President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The endorsement comes as a significant boost to the legislation that just narrowly cleared the House by a 215-214 vote margin. The bill specifically targets tax relief for law enforcement personnel, focusing on overtime pay and state and local tax deductions that directly impact officers’ take-home pay and quality of life in high-cost jurisdictions where many are required to live by department regulations.
“The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ is more than legislation—it is a promise kept to the public safety officers across the country and a bold step toward an economy that respects, rewards, and uplifts the people who keep it safe,” said Patrick Yoes, National FOP President.
Key Provisions Supporting Law Enforcement
The legislation contains two provisions specifically highlighted by the FOP as crucial for their members. First, it creates a tax deduction for overtime earnings for individuals making less than $160,000 annually. This directly addresses a campaign promise President Trump made to eliminate federal income taxes on overtime for first responders. Second, the bill increases the State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction limit to $40,000 for taxpayers earning less than $500,000 per year—a significant jump from the current $10,000 cap established during the 2017 tax reforms.
“President Trump first proposed the elimination of Federal income taxes on overtime while still a candidate, and we are very pleased that a similar provision is included in the ‘One Big, Beautiful Bill Act,” said Patrick Yoes, National FOP President.
SALT Deductions: Critical for Officers in High-Cost Areas
The SALT deduction increase is particularly significant for officers working in high-tax, high-cost areas like New York City, Los Angeles, and other major metropolitan regions. Many departments require officers to live within certain boundaries of the jurisdiction they serve, forcing them into expensive housing markets without the ability to relocate to more affordable areas. The FOP argues that the current $10,000 SALT cap unfairly penalizes these officers who don’t have the freedom to choose where they live based on tax considerations.
“The current cap on SALT deductions uniquely and unfairly penalizes law enforcement officers, who often are required to live within a certain distance of the jurisdictions they serve—removing a valuable mechanism that allows for a reduction in their cost of living,” said Patrick Yoes, National FOP President.
Legislative Challenges Ahead
Despite passing the House, the bill faces significant opposition in the Senate. Some Republicans from lower-tax states worry that raising the SALT deduction cap effectively subsidizes high-tax policies in predominantly blue states. Rep. Rich McCormick has voiced concerns that the SALT provision alone could add approximately $385 billion to the national deficit. These fiscal concerns will need to be addressed as the bill moves through the Senate, where the margin for error is even smaller than in the House.
Trump’s Continued Support for Law Enforcement
The FOP’s endorsement of this legislation reinforces President Trump’s strong relationship with law enforcement. Throughout his presidency, Trump has consistently backed the police and other first responders with both policy initiatives and public statements of support. The overtime tax exemption in particular fulfills a specific campaign promise made by Trump, demonstrating his commitment to following through on pledges made to law enforcement personnel. As local departments face ongoing budget challenges, these federal tax relief measures are seen as critical support for maintaining officer morale and financial stability.
