The NYPD union faced criticism from local Democrats after it endorsed President Donald Trump and his reelection efforts due to budget cuts and lack of support for police by city lawmakers.
Last Friday, Trump spoke to members of the New York City Police Benevolent Association (PBA), the organization that represents over 24,000 officers in the state. It was here, at the president’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J., that the announcement was made that the group was formally endorsing him.
According to PBA President Pat Lynch, it was the first time that he knows of that the organization has ever endorsed a president.
“I have 36 years on this job, 21 as the president of this fine organization. I cannot remember when we’ve ever endorsed for Office of the President of the United States, until now. That’s how important this is,” Lynch said.
He spoke directly to the president when he continued his speech.
“Many times, people say that a union like ours, law enforcement groups, give endorsements. Not in the New York City PBA, sir. In the New York City PBA, Mr. President, you earn the endorsement and you’ve earned this endorsement. I’m proud to give it.”
Trump was honored and showed the NYPD union the respect they deserve. “I’ve admired you my whole life, watched you do a job like nobody else, nobody else done it. Best of the best and I’m grateful happy you’re here,” the president told the group of officers in attendance.
Trump reiterated his law-and-order message saying, “No one will be safe in Biden’s America. This guy has been taking your dignity away and your respect,” Trump said of the former vice president. “And I’m telling you on Nov. 3 you’re going to be getting it back.”
Of course New York Democrats were standing by just waiting to make excuses and attack the police as well as the president, indicating that the police union’s endorsement of such a highly unpopular politician within NYC was the real reason for tensions between them and the community.
“NYPD union endorsed Trump. I’m sure this is part of their neighborhood outreach plan,” whined Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, whose district includes the Bronx and Queens.
“Also, does anyone else see a potential problem with police unions – enforcement arms of the state with lethal weapons – promoting ‘preferred’ candidates for office or is that just me?” the former bartender added.
Progressive newcomer Jamaal Bowman joined in the nonsense. “I’m speechless. NYC is a beautifully diverse, working class, democratic city. The NYPD is clearly showing they are not interested in working with the people of our city,” he posted on his social media account. “This explains their continued aggression against innocent people. It’s time for dramatic change.”
The fact is that NYPD police have faced a destructive, abusive campaign against them following the police brutality protests regarding George Floyd with no respect at all from the mayor or governor.
New York Democrats have reduced the police budget by almost $1 billion, crime has risen significantly, and the disrespect for the department continues. In July 2020, the amount of shootings in NY rose an alarming 177 percent – with 244 shootings during the month compared to only 88 from last July.
“In our city, we’re going through a difficult time. We have a progressive mayor that’s anti-police; the city council that’s anti-police; and the statehouse is anti-police. So they’re changing the law where it’s becoming impossible to do our job,” Lynch told the president. “And remember what our job is: to keep folks safe. You do that by helping the good people, going after the bad people. They’re stopping us from doing that.”
