MILWAUKEE — Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird touted Republicans' support for police officers in a primetime address during the second night of the Republican National Convention Tuesday.
“Never forget, the Democratic Party is a party of defunding the police," she told a crowd at the Fiserv Forum in downtown Milwaukee. "They said it, they mean it, and they can't wiggle out of it.”
Bird was the only statewide officeholder to endorse Trump ahead of the 2024 caucuses , and she’s become a prominent ambassador for his campaign.
Earlier this year, she appeared with the former president's entourage at a New York City courthouse while he was standing trial in a criminal hush money case. Bird called the charges a "scam." Trump was later found guilty of 34 felonies for falsifying business records.
On Tuesday, she spoke about Trump’s tough-on-crime approach and his commitment to supporting law enforcement officers. And she contrasted with the Democrats, who she said favor “handouts, not handcuffs.”
“Unfortunately, Democrats like Joe Biden and Kamala Harris have made life miserable for law enforcement,” Bird said. “They treat police like criminals and criminals like victims. And tragically, many crime victims feel abandoned by a justice system that doesn't seem to put their interests first. They deserve better than what these defund-the-police Democrats deliver.”
The night’s theme was “Make America Safe Once Again” and featured a range of speakers who spoke about law enforcement and immigration.
Bird took the stage about 8:20 p.m., just ahead of former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis — a prime spot in the lineup that put Bird just ahead of two of the night’s most anticipated speakers.
In addition to speaking Tuesday, Bird presided over the procedural nomination of U.S. Sen. JD Vance as vice president Monday. And Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann delivered the speech that formally nominated Trump for president .
More: 'Make America great again!': Iowa Republican chair gives fiery Trump nominating speech at RNC
Bird told the Des Moines Register Wednesday that she was invited after her speech to sit with Trump and his family in their designated box in the convention hall.
"I think President Trump really appreciates the Iowa Caucuses and all the Iowans that he met on the campaign trail," she said. "I think usually the presidential race begins in Iowa with the caucuses, but this year, it both began and ended because of the strong wave of support that he got. So, you know, we feel that he really appreciates Iowans."
She said she felt buoyed on stage by the cheers and applause that emanated from the Iowa delegation. And afterward, she said, her phone was flooded with calls and texts from police and other law enforcement officers.
"That was very meaningful, because I knew then that they knew how much we appreciate them and appreciate them keeping us safe," Bird said.
Bird said that the feeling inside the hall was "electric" as she presided over Vance's nomination, and she said Iowans are eager to hear from him.
"When he entered the convention hall, people were so excited to see him," Bird said. "He brings so much energy to the ticket and ideas and enthusiasm, and he's a veteran. People are excited. They want to hear from him, and (they're) excited about what all this means."
Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. She is also covering the 2024 presidential race for USA TODAY as a senior national campaign correspondent. Reach her at bpfann@dmreg.com or 515-284-8244. Follow her on Twitter at @brianneDMR.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa attorney general Brenna Bird at RNC: Democrats favor 'handouts not handcuffs'
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