The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, which represents approximately 30,000 federal law enforcement officers, has expressed its opposition to President Biden’s vaccine mandate for the federal workforce.
Thursday Biden announced further vaccine requirements that apply to roughly 100 million Americans. The mandate requires all federal workers and contractors to be vaccinated and large companies must mandate vaccines or regular testing for employees.
The president of FLEOA, Larry Cosme, said the mandate is a “misguided” attempt to undermine vaccination efforts. He also argued that Biden’s mandate pushes the federal government into personal medical decisions.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a rapidly evolving and emotional trying situation. In the face of so many uncertainties, our federal government should trust its employees to make their own medical decision under consultation with their doctor, not mandate by their employer,” Cosme said in a statement. “Vaccination should be promoted through education and encouragement – not coercion.
Larry Cosme, fleoa
Cosme added that the association encourages members to get the vaccine and said “We are a nation built on freedom. We are law enforcement officers who defend that freedom. And we deserve the freedom to make our own health decisions”.
In Biden’s speech about the requirements, he focused on the unvaccinated and those that refuse it, saying “This is not about freedom or personal choice. It’s about protecting yourself and those around you”.
He also asked state governors to mandate vaccines for teachers and school staff, adding “If these governors won’t help us beat the pandemic, I’ll use my power as president to get them out of the way”.
