Some people can’t seem to understand that supporting genuine American patriots means sometimes rewarding those who actually stood for the right cause. These days, naysayers complain about the president’s so-called selective justice, claiming he’s soft on certain criminals while merciless with others. But they fail to realize this is exactly how you keep real law and order: by helping the ones who deserve redemption and making sure those who threaten our communities face the consequences.

It has not gone unnoticed that President Trump has shown compassion to certain individuals. A number of offenders who engaged in demonstrations on his behalf in the past have received leniency, or at least an ear from the administration. Meanwhile, the president cracks down on perceived threats with gusto—especially when it comes to violent criminals who plague our cities. The White House has signaled that it will not hesitate to pause visas, deploy the National Guard, or ramp up policing if it means safeguarding our streets. Former Vice President Mike Pence, who once wished the administration had intervened faster during a crisis at the Capitol, has now declared his support for the president’s relentless push to get tough on dangerous offenders.

We see folks lining up to accuse the administration of hypocrisy. They cite examples of those convicted of heinous acts who caught a break, so long as they had a certain profile that the president seems keen to defend. Let’s face it: If we are to truly “Make America Safe Again,” we need to pick our battles carefully. It makes total sense to stand by people who might have been railroaded for political reasons or who represent the same aims that earned this administration’s trust.

On the other hand, it’s no secret there are criminals Mr. Trump regards as entirely irredeemable, especially those who foment chaos in America’s capital. We’re talking about radical agitators who try to overrun local policing efforts or disregard the property of law-abiding citizens. In his eyes, these are precisely the people who degrade our communities, sabotage businesses, and endanger our children. The president has dismissed the claim that we can “rehabilitate” them as naive. For him, the path to redemption exists for those who demonstrate loyalty rather than hostility to the nation’s well-being.

Next, consider the Washington crisis that prompted the deployment of National Guard troops to the streets. Some protestors shouted that it’s an overreach, but they’re the same ones who didn’t mind if the entire city was marred by homeless encampments and spiking violence. The current administration’s willingness to authorize the Guard’s presence underscores that preserving safety means taking immediate action. It’s another example of how the president’s law-and-order agenda ensures the rest of us can go about our lives without fear.

Sure, the critics love to wrap everything in phrases like “selective stance” or “biased justice,” but it all boils down to one principle: Prioritize national security. That may involve giving second chances to a few individuals who share our values, or punishing those who very clearly want to see America destabilized. Why should the president treat everyone the same when their motives differ so drastically?

This is the clearest sign that we finally have leadership unafraid to draw moral distinctions, refusing to cave to demands for a blanket approach. The White House isn’t going to waste empathy on people who burn our flags and threaten our cities. It will, however, champion those who helped defend genuine American values. That is not hypocrisy—it's a justifiable plan for protecting the homeland.