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Texas Lt. Gov. Asks Obama to 'Consider Being Careful' With His Remarks About Police

July 14, 2016

In a town hall event with President Barack Obama on Thursday, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R.) asked the president to "consider being careful" with his remarks about police after the Dallas ambush.

In the wake of the attack in Dallas in which five police officers were murdered, Obama held a town hall to address dividing issues among the American public. Topics of discussion included the recent turn to negative treatment of law enforcement, and Patrick was critical of Obama's rhetoric since the attack.

"Everything you say matters and I would ask you to consider being careful when there is an incident of not being too quick to condemn the police without due process and until the facts are known," Patrick said.

Patrick did say that he did not think Obama intended to come off in this manner.

He then asked the president to put on the blue lights at the White House to honor their sacrifice, citing that police have asked him to do that since he has done it for other groups.

"It would send a strong message," he said.

Obama was not amused by these suggestions.

He quickly pointed out that Patrick would have to go back and find any statement that he has made that did not indisputably support law enforcement.

"Al lright, first of all, I'll say that I have been unequivocal in condemning any rhetoric directed at police officers," he said. "So, I think, Lieutenant Governor, you'd have to find any message that did not include a very strong support for law enforcement."

At the end of his statements, Obama said he would gladly send Patrick the statement he made "in case [he] missed it."