EXCLUSIVE — During President Donald Trump In his first term in office, he tapped Grady Judd, the sheriff of Polk County, Florida, to join the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Advisory Committee — a position that was eliminated when former President Joe Biden took office.
Over the years, Judd has made a name for himself among fans as “American sheriff” for his tough stance on crime. With Trump’s new term underway, a Florida law enforcement official sat down with Fox News Digital for an exclusive interview, sharing his excitement for another term, local police responses to mass deportations, thoughts on whether diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives belong in the sheriff’s office and recent presidential pardons.
“We are extremely excited about our new president,” said Sheriff Judd.
“No president can make every rule that everyone agrees with,” he added. “No president can take every action or take every action that everyone will agree with. But at the end of the day, are you safer? Can you prosper? Can you afford to live? And that’s what Trump is going to offer us.”
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd gives his take on what America could see from another Trump term, as it relates to security. (Fox News Digital)
One of the actions the sheriff mentioned was immigration. As Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan begins the enforcement process mass deportation operationsJudd doesn’t believe the roles of local police will change much.
“Every day we come across those who are here illegally and are committing crimes and we report them to ICE every day,” he said. “The problem is that ICE didn’t deport them. And that’s about to change. It’s a new day and a new sheriff in Washington.”
The executive order signed by Trump regarding the mass deportations also declared a national emergency to allow the military to be deployed to the border.
Judd elaborated on what he saw as a mandate for Trump and his thoughts on Florida’s role in the deportation process.
“But I believe you will see a community, a state and a nation that are much safer. And with the government [Ron] DeSantis, we’re going to set the pace at which states should respond and should support the federal government and should respond and support President Trump,” he said.
“Because at the end of the day, President Trump is responding to the mandate given to him by the people of the United States. And here’s what I’ve heard. The people of the United States are tired of being victimized. And as a result of that, we’re going to work very, very hard to protect the people of the United States, and Florida will lead the way,” Judd continued.
Prior to the inauguration, Judd was joined by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other local and state officials during a press conference to discuss the activities fight against illegal immigration. During the conference, Judd said the crackdown would help reduce crime.
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Border Patrol Tom Homan and ICE agents make the arrests. ((Photo by Samuel Corum/Getty Images and Irfan Khan/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images))
Another topic the sheriff discussed was DEI, particularly how it affects police departments. It remains a burning issue as Trump recently ordered closing of the DEI office in the federal government and corporations began to shrink initiatives.
However, when it comes to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Judd said that has never been a priority.
“DEI was never an initiative here at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, we never paid attention to that nonsense. It’s just crazy talk by crazy people. We believe in fairness and equality, treating everyone professionally and with respect,” he said.
He went on to give his opinion on the ongoing debate about whether DEI measures should be a priority in sheriff’s departments across the country.
“It doesn’t have to be in any state or any sheriff’s office or police agency or government. The bottom line of this is that we all need to understand. We’re all God’s people and we need to respect each other, but we don’t need to rub other people’s personal lives in each other’s faces people,” Judd said.
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The federal Office of Personnel Management notified agencies and departments that they must begin taking steps to close all diversity, equity and inclusion offices by the end of the day Wednesday. (Fox News Digital)
Sheriff Judd also gave his opinion on Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law, which allows people to use deadly force to protect themselves. Florida has faced several cases where this law has come under scrutiny, including the well-known case of Trayvon Martin. The sheriff said “Stand Your Ground” laws can apply in every state.
The sheriff also scrutinized Democratic-led cities.
“Why do Democratic leaders in California, New York and big cities think more of criminals who victimize good law-abiding citizens? Why do they think more of them?” Judd asked.
“Why aren’t criminals held accountable so that people in these big cities can create a safe environment to live in? If you see high crime rates and danger in big cities, whoever you elect to public office will make the rules.”
“We’re putting bad guys in jail, and that’s not going to change under the Trump administration, because that’s what we’ve always done. But the Trump administration is going to energize others to stand up to their elected officials in these big cities and go, ‘Hey, stop caring about criminals. , instead of taking care of honest, law-abiding citizens, put criminals in jail,” Judd continued.
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U.S. President Donald Trump signs pardons for defendants Jan. 6 in the Oval Office of the White House on Inauguration Day in Washington, U.S., Jan. 20, 2025. (REUTERS/Carlos Barria)
While the sheriff shared his excitement for Trump’s new term, he also openly criticized one of Trump’s first acts as president — pardoning anyone convicted of roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol.
“Now I have to tell you, when he pardoned these people who assaulted, hit, hit, injured law enforcement officers, I was hoping that they would be looked at individually, because there is a big difference in someone who walked in and walked around the building of Congress. , and someone who violently assaulted law enforcement officers,” he said. “So I wish he had taken more time to look more closely before issuing a blanket pardon.”
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The pardons are of local importance, as several Polk County residents participated in the riots, according to local newspapers, Ledger.
“But having said that, Trump has always been a big supporter of law enforcement. So we’re excited about that. He believes that right is right and wrong is wrong and that wrong is never right,” Judd said.
