Washington, DC - Patrick Yoes, National President of the Fraternal Order of Police, applauded Kash Patel, Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, who issued a strong warning to individuals who attack law enforcement officers, during an appearance on SiriusXM Patriots, “Breitbart News Sunday.”

“We have clearly documented a terrifying increase in violence targeted at police, and I am very pleased, though not surprised, to hear that this issue is critically important to Director Patel and the FBI. In fact, shortly after he became FBI Director, Executive Director Jim Pasco and I met with him to discuss priorities, and he told us that he would support the ‘Protect and Serve Act,’” Yoes said. “This Administration takes violence directed at law enforcement officers seriously, but Congress, to date, has not. Both the House and the Senate refuse to consider the ‘Protect and Serve Act,’ which I find unconscionable.”

Patel said the FBI is committed to working closely with local, State, and Federal law enforcement partners to ensure those responsible for assaults on officers are held accountable, saying, “You have to back the blue. If you touch a cop, we’re going to put you down. We’re going to find you and we’re going to arrest you.”

Just a few days ago, the National FOP issued a report showing that there have been 82 officers shot in the line of duty in 2026, 8 of whom were killed. There have been 17 ambush-style attacks on law enforcement officers this year. These ambush-style attacks have resulted in 21 officers shot, four of whom were killed. Because of the ongoing threat officers face from individuals determined to do them harm, the National FOP helped develop the “Protect and Serve Act,” which would impose Federal penalties on individuals, in very specific circumstances, who deliberately target law enforcement officers with violence. The bill has been stalled in committee since its introduction last year.

“Law enforcement is a dangerous profession—officers are always in harm’s way and are prepared, if necessary, to lay down their lives in the line of duty. While there is no legislation that Congress could pass that will completely protect officers from harm in the course of performing their duty, we can help deter and punish individuals who target officers for violence by enacting the ‘Protect and Serve Act,’” Yoes said. “Congress needs to act now!”