America’s largest police union throws its support behind President Trump’s proposed tax relief bill that would exempt overtime pay for law enforcement officers, while critics worry about its impact on the national deficit.
At a Glance
- The National Fraternal Order of Police strongly endorses Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” for its provisions supporting public safety officers
- The bill would exempt overtime income from federal taxation for officers earning under $160,000 and increase SALT deduction caps to $40,000
- The legislation narrowly passed the House 215-214 and now faces significant opposition in the Senate
- FOP President Patrick Yoes praises the bill as “a promise kept” to the nation’s law enforcement community
- Some Republicans express concern that the SALT provision could add $385 billion to the national deficit
Police Union Backs Trump’s Tax Relief for Law Enforcement
The National Fraternal Order of Police, representing over 377,000 law enforcement officers nationwide, has announced its strong support for President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” The legislation contains key provisions that would eliminate federal income taxes on overtime pay for public safety officers who earn less than $160,000 annually. This measure directly addresses a campaign promise made by Trump during his 2024 presidential run and aims to provide financial relief to police officers who often depend on overtime hours to supplement their income.
FOP National President Patrick Yoes expressed enthusiastic support for the legislation, highlighting its potential impact on officers’ financial wellbeing. The bill passed the House of Representatives by the narrowest of margins with a 215-214 vote, demonstrating the contentious nature of some of its provisions. While the tax exemption for overtime pay has broad support, other aspects of the bill have generated significant debate among lawmakers, particularly the increase in State and Local Tax (SALT) deduction caps.
SALT Deduction Cap Increase Draws Mixed Reactions
A key component of the legislation increases the SALT deduction cap from $10,000 to $40,000 for taxpayers earning under $500,000. This provision particularly benefits law enforcement officers living in high-tax jurisdictions like New York City and Los Angeles. According to the FOP, many officers are required to live within certain distances of the jurisdictions they serve, often placing them in areas with higher tax burdens. The current SALT cap, they argue, unfairly penalizes these officers by removing a valuable mechanism that could reduce their cost of living.
“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. The SALT deduction is also a valuable way of supporting local budgets as law enforcement agencies are facing an array of financial challenges associated with inflated costs of equipment, vehicles, and personnel especially with respect to the ongoing recruitment and retention crisis.”, said Patrick Yoes.
However, the SALT deduction increase has become a point of contention among Republicans, particularly those from lower-tax states. Some GOP lawmakers view the provision as effectively subsidizing high-tax policies in predominantly Democratic states. Rep. Rich McCormick has voiced concerns that the SALT provision alone could add approximately $385 billion to the U.S. deficit, raising questions about fiscal responsibility even as supporters argue for its necessity in supporting law enforcement.
A Promise to Public Safety Officers
President Trump and House Speaker J. Michael Johnson have been commended by the FOP for their leadership in passing the bill through the House. The White House has promoted the legislation as a “historic opportunity” to fund Trump’s political platform, claiming it will secure tax cuts, reduce the deficit, and strengthen border security. The FOP, founded in 1915, sees the bill as fulfilling a crucial commitment to the law enforcement community during challenging times.
“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.”, added Yoes.
The legislation now faces an uncertain future in the Senate, where opposition remains significant. Despite the challenges ahead, the FOP continues to advocate strongly for the bill’s passage, emphasizing that overtime income is crucial for police officers who often work extended hours to keep communities safe. The removal of tax obligations on this earned income would provide immediate financial relief to officers nationwide while supporting local law enforcement agencies struggling with recruitment and retention challenges.
