Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Backing the Blue in 2026
Each year on January 9th, we recognize Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. It’s a time to thank the police officers who keep us safe. Officers across Nebraska work hard to prevent crime and protect families. They face danger and serve with courage. That’s why I fight every day to support Nebraska law enforcement. In 2026, Senate Republicans are fighting to make our streets safer by supporting law enforcement heroes.
Nebraska’s women and men in blue are a model for the rest of the nation. For example, the Omaha Police Department (OPD) has achieved a 100% homicide clearance rate each of the last two years. Meanwhile, the national clearance rate sits below 60%. Omaha continues to see murder rates decrease every year. In fact, the number of murders in Omaha has decreased in each of the last four years. The OPD’s success is a testament to their commitment to excellence.
This commitment to excellence is also seen with federal law enforcement in Nebraska. This year, Senate Republicans confirmed the new U.S. Attorney for Nebraska, Lesley Woods. She has been hard at work prosecuting crimes in Nebraska. In August, she announced the arrest of five individuals for sex and human trafficking, visa fraud, and money laundering. These individuals trafficked minors and illegal immigrants across hotels and salons that they owned. All five are present in the country illegally. Last month, U.S. Attorney Woods indicted 54 defendants for a massive fraud scheme funding the violent terrorist cartel Tren de Aragua. Throughout 2025, U.S. Attorney Woods also announced arrests of hitmen and leaders of the violent MS-13 cartel. That includes one drug kingpin who was a top “most wanted” fugitive from El Salvador. Inter-agency cooperation between Nebraska law enforcement and federal officials has been key to these arrests.
I am grateful for the work Nebraska law enforcement officers do to keep deadly drugs like fentanyl off our streets. When the drug situation at our nation’s southern border turned into a catastrophe, the Nebraska State Patrol stepped up. In my last year as governor, state troopers confiscated two times as much methamphetamine, three times as much fentanyl, and ten times as much cocaine as they did in just the prior two years. They did this work despite the Biden Administration’s terrible open border policies.
As Senator, I’m working with President Trump to secure the border and ease the burden on local law enforcement. We passed the HALT Fentanyl Act. The law permanently classifies fentanyl and its analogues as Schedule I substances. It leads to harsher sentences for fentanyl traffickers. Less fentanyl means fewer overdose deaths, like the tragic loss of Taryn Lee Griffith. I’m also leading efforts to combat nitazenes, which is a class of drug that is even deadlier than fentanyl. By cracking down on drug dealers and cartels, we’re making our streets safer.
I’m also fighting for policies that will deter anti-cop attacks. I am a member of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus. I am currently co-leading the Thin Blue Line Act and the Back the Blue Act. These bills would increase penalties for criminals who target law enforcement officers. It would provide new tools for officers to protect themselves. They would deter violent criminals from targeting our law enforcement officers. Police groups support them. I’ll keep working to send these important bills to President Trump’s desk.
Police officers don’t ask for praise. They just ask for the tools and resources to do their jobs with excellence. Every badge represents someone ready to serve and protect. These women and men stand between danger and our communities. They protect our homes, our families, and our future. Their bravery should not go unnoticed. We must back the blue.
Please join me in expressing our gratitude for their important work — on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, and every day. If you see an officer, say thank you.
My team and I are here to serve you. Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224. You can also view my website at http://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.