The former president, Donald J. Trump, often expressed admiration for police officers who used aggressive force on the job. He campaigned as a “law and order” candidate, stressing strong support for the police in addressing violent crime. He also promised to “indemnify” police, protecting them from financial consequences of legal action over misconduct.

Legal scholars have stated that Mr. Trump’s proposal would be largely symbolic, as most jurisdictions already shield police from financial liability. They also pointed out the contradiction in Mr. Trump’s campaign promises as he faces legal action. Despite this, Mr. Trump frequently vilifies Democrats as critical of law enforcement and champions the police, promising to indemnify officers and vowing to protect them from accusations of wrongdoing.

Experts have argued that the idea of indemnification is superfluous, as police officers are already largely shielded from financial repercussions in lawsuits. There was also speculation that the implementation of such a move would require legislation from Congress, rather than executive orders.

Mr. Trump’s support for qualified immunity for police officers has been a consistent stance, and in 2020, several notable police unions endorsed him. However, his remarks often led to criticism, such as statements encouraging police to act more aggressively. Despite these issues, he continued to champion law enforcement during his re-election bid and has made it a key part of his current campaign.