Sheriff Page, NSA leaders, meet with President Trump at White House – Greensboro News & Record

WASHINGTON There is a new sheriff in charge of the United States of America who is more than willing to listen to law enforcement leaders about the issues they face in the communities that span far and wide across the country.

On Tuesday, one of those prominent voices at the nations capital was a man who has dedicated the last 30 years to protecting and serving the residents of North Carolinas North Star.

The invitation was part of a week-longtrip to the nations capital to attend the association's winter conference, where Page also met with fellow members of the NSA Immigration and Border Security Commission for a convened meeting.

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page was one of nearly a dozen sheriffs from the executive committee of the National Sheriffs Association on Feb. 7 that joined President Donald Trump in the White House to discuss immigration, border security and the leadership direction of the executive branch of government.

Vice President Mike Pence was also in attendance.

An NSA spokesperson told the Huffington Post on Saturday that the group who spoke with Trump wasa combination of leadership chosen by the association and certain elected officers who were requested by the White House.

The meeting was the first of its kind between the National Sheriffs Association and a sitting president. Members of the meeting were also invited into the Oval Office following the roundtable talk with the president.

Page also presented Trump with a red hat in the president's office, with white lettering that read, Sheriffs for Trump.

We appreciate you being where you are at, said Page to President Trump during the open discussion that focused on several topics, including the opioid epidemic across the nation, border security and illegal immigration.

The first responsibility of government is to protect its people as we are elected by the people and you are elected by the people, we got that. When you said there is a new sheriff in town, we relate to that. You are about the rule of law we haven't seen that in many years and we appreciate that.

Page has been a vocal leader over the last six years in regards to advocating that the U.S. Government enforces existing federal law to protect national borders specifically to help eliminate illegal drug trade.

The Sheriff also shared with the President his appreciation for John F. Kelly, who was named the fifth United States Secretary of Homeland Security on Jan. 20.

He went to the border, Page said. He looked at the assets and he asked the law enforcement down there whats going on and what can we do to help fix this situation down here. Youve got a good team and youre putting together a good team and you have the support of sheriffs from across the country and we appreciate what you are doing.

Page, who was elected as sheriff of Rockingham County in 1998, also served as the President of the North Carolina Sheriffs Association during the 2010-11 term.

The former Eden Police officer planned to stay in Washington DC until Feb. 9.

The sheriff also has scheduled meetings with Rep. Mark Walker and Sen. Richard Burr during his visit to the capital.

Contact Joe Dexter at (336) 349-4311, ext. 6139and follow @DexterJoe_RCN on Twitter.

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Sheriff Page, NSA leaders, meet with President Trump at White House - Greensboro News & Record