Robert F. Kennedy Jr., an independent presidential candidate, is set to address the National Sheriffs’ Association at their annual convention in Oklahoma City next week. The 30-minute talk on Tuesday will focus on border issues, crime, and mental health. The association, which has played a key role in the border crisis, has worked closely with the US Border Patrol and has supported former President Donald Trump’s efforts to tighten border control.
It is unclear if Trump will also speak at the convention. Kennedy has visited the southern border with Mexico multiple times over the past two years, meeting with border agents, sheriffs, and the media. In contrast, President Joe Biden’s border coordinator, Vice President Kamala Harris, has not visited the border.
Kennedy has called for the immediate closure of the border to illegal crossings, which he believes is unsustainable and detrimental to the country. He has suggested that Biden could do so with an executive order, as Trump did in 2017. Biden has recently taken steps to slow illegal crossings, but the issue remains a significant challenge.
The National Sheriffs’ Association convention is one of two major events they host annually, featuring a trade show and showcasing the latest law enforcement technology. As president, Biden has not been invited to address the convention, which has historically backed Trump’s law enforcement agenda. Some individuals, however, support Kennedy’s focus on the border and crime.
