New York City’s Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) blasted Mayor Bill de Blasio’s leadership while praising President Donald Trump for calling out the state and city’s “lack of support” of law enforcement officials.
Two police officers were shot in the city in less than twelve hours leading to an outcry from one of the city’s police unions.
After news of the shootings, Trump took to Twitter on Sunday to blast city officials.
“Because of weak leadership at Governor [and] Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. “
I grew up in New York City and, over many years, got to watch how GREAT NYC’s “Finest” are. Now, because of weak leadership at Governor & Mayor, stand away (water thrown at them) regulations, and lack of support, our wonderful NYC police are under assault. Stop this now!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 9, 2020
The SBA shared Trump’s tweet on Sunday night, and said he was “100% correct.”
“President Trump is 100% correct. NYS [and] NYC need the support of the Department of Justice. Criminals are being released, it’s time we prosecute in Federal Court. The Mayor is ruining NYC, cops have been stopped from doing their jobs. NYC is under siege. Send in the Feds.”
President Trump is 100% correct. NYS & NYC need the support of the Department of Justice. Criminals are being released, it’s time we prosecute in Federal Court. The Mayor is ruining NYC, cops have been stopped from doing their jobs. NYC is under siege. Send in the Feds https://t.co/OuOtwG5h7H
— SBA (@SBANYPD_Archive) February 9, 2020
The SBA’s comment about criminals being released appeared to be a reference to the state’s controversial decision to eliminate cash bail for non-violent defendants.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) Commissioner, Dermot Shea, previously attributed a 16.9% spike in crime to the new law. Shea said that defendants who have been released because of the law have committed subsequent crimes.
The union also ripped into de Blasio and announced that it was “declaring war” on the mayor.
“The members of the NYPD are declaring war on you! We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures.”
Mayor DeBlasio, the members of the NYPD are declaring war on you! We do not respect you, DO NOT visit us in hospitals. You sold the NYPD to the vile creatures, the 1% who hate cops but vote for you. NYPD cops have been assassinated because of you. This isn’t over, Game on! https://t.co/XyruPraM9T
— SBA (@SBANYPD_Archive) February 9, 2020
The rank-and-file of the NYPD has had a contentious relationship de Blasio and city officials over the years. New York politicians have been accused of deploying “anti-cop rhetoric” and implementing policing policies that “undermined” law enforcement’s efforts to keep the city safe.
Last year, the Police Benevolent Association issued a rebuke to de Blasio and the police commissioner in the form of a “no confidence” vote after the department fired Daniel Pantaleo — a New York City police officer who was seen in a video using a chock hold on Eric Garner.
While de Blasio has voiced support for the NYPD and denounced attacks on its officers, law enforcement officials say his policies have “stopped them from doing their jobs.”