(This post may contain disputed claims. We make no assertions as to the validity of the information presented by our Opinion Columnist. We are an opinion blog, not a traditional news outlet, and this post should be treated as such. Enjoy.)After an NYPD officer was caught on camera praising President Donald Trump, Mayor Bill de Blasio has vowed to take swift action against the cop. The NYPD union, however, is singing a much different tune, ripping the officer’s suspension as proof of a “double standard.” Don’t miss this.
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio promised to take swift action against a New York City police officer who was caught on camera saying “Trump 2020” after multiple videos of the incident were uploaded to social media. The footage, recorded in Brooklyn on Saturday night, showed the NYPD officer saying “Trump 2020” over a loudspeaker in his patrol car while two additional NYPD officers conversed outside the vehicle, The Blaze reported.
“Do it again. What? You can’t say ‘Trump 2020’ now, you f***ing p****?” the man behind the camera in one video said. “Say it again.” When the officer repeated the phrase as instructed, the cameraman responded, “Go f*** yourself you f***ing fascist.”
The incident was captured from a different angle in another video uploaded to Twitter, which was taken from the window of a nearby apartment. This additional video showed what happened after the first video ended, and it was posted to social media with the caption in part, “How the NYPD rolling up in Black communities these days.”
“Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube, put it on Facebook. Trump 2020,” the NYPD officer said over the loudspeaker. “Take a picture, take a picture, take a video, put it on your Facebook, put it on YouTube. Have some fun.”
How the NYPD rolling up in Black communities these days (on my block): “Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube. Put it on Facebook…”
Aight MFers… it’s on TWITTER TOO! BI-DEN! 👋🏿😂#Vote #nypdfinest #bidenharris2020 pic.twitter.com/hmXdY8ivbM— Brandon K Hines (@thumpio) October 25, 2020
As one might imagine, the incident caused outrage. Among those enraged by the ordeal were city leaders, including Mayor de Blasio, who promised NYC residents that the city would take immediate action against the officer as the NYPD said they were aware of the videos and would be investigating the incident.
“Let me be clear: ANY NYPD Officer pushing ANY political agenda while on duty will face consequences. We will act fast here, and this will not be tolerated,” de Blasio said.
In addition to de Blasio’s condemnation, top NYPD brass also scolded the officer, whom police sources identified as Arthur Becerra of the 70th Precinct and suspended without pay Sunday. “The NYPD strictly forbids officers from expressing political views or endorsing candidates — and Commissioner Dermot Shea called it ‘one hundred percent unacceptable. Period,'” the NY Post reported.
“One hundred percent unacceptable. Period,” NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said. “Law Enforcement must remain apolitical, it is essential in our role to serve ALL New Yorkers regardless of any political beliefs. It is essential for New Yorkers to trust their Police. Updates to follow after initial investigation.”
“When you wear our uniform it is imperative to remain apolitical. Behavior like this will not be tolerated and will be dealt with,” Chief of Department Terence Monahan added, but the Sergeants Benevolent Association was singing a much different tune, accusing the NYPD top brass of a “double standard” after the officer was suspended.
“The NYPD has a history of officers making political & outside the norm statements & ignoring it,” the SBA tweeted Sunday amid the investigation, according to a follow-up report by the NY Post, in which it was also pointed out that the suspended officer’s boss, Terence Monahan, was previously praised for taking a knee with Black Lives Matter protesters.
“Suspending this officer is unnecessary & way over the top. Chief of Department took a knee with protestors no disciplinary action was issued,” the SBA said of Terence Monahan, the current Chief of Department of the New York Police Department.
The union then took an even more direct aim at Terence Monahan, who had joined Police Commissioner Shea as well as Mayor de Blasio in condemning videos that showed the officer repeatedly saying “Trump 2020.” Retweeting his claim that officers have to “remain apolitical,” the SBA posted a NY Post photo of him taking a knee with George Floyd protesters on June 1 along with it.
“What’s the status of this investigation? Oh wait double standard white shirt immunity!” the SBA tweeted.
What’s the status of this investigation? Oh wait double standard white shirt immunity! https://t.co/VVmxRxtFX8 pic.twitter.com/cJxY9Tdv9X
— SBA (@SBANYPD) October 25, 2020
“Terence you said nothing when Captains & Chiefs took a knee with violent protesters who injured members of the NYPD. You say nothing to those who sing & dance in uniform,” the union raged in another tweet. “Now your little itsy-bitsy balls are in DeBlasio’s palm & you tweet nonsense. Relax & take a knee!”
Terence you said nothing when Captains & Chiefs took a knee with violent protesters who injured members of the NYPD. You say nothing to those who sing & dance in uniform. Now your little itsy-bitsy balls are in DeBlasio’s palm & you tweet nonsense. Relax & take a knee! https://t.co/MHC0Hk1Bpj pic.twitter.com/kUjrq5Uu5o
— SBA (@SBANYPD) October 25, 2020
The SBA didn’t stop there, either. Rather than condemn the officer’s actions, the SBA seemingly supported the gesture, saying officers are “rightfully” supporting the president.
Police Officers across the nation are advocating for TRUMP and rightfully so. The Democratic Party has abandoned police officers, encouraged violence and lawlessness. People are being murdered in Democratic run cities. @realDonaldTrump @DonaldJTrumpJr @EricTrump 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 https://t.co/l29B4e18mA
— SBA (@SBANYPD) October 25, 2020
In a tweet, tagging President Trump as well as his sons Eric and Don Jr, the union wrote, “The Democratic Party has abandoned police officers, encouraged violence and lawlessness. People are being murdered in Democratic run cities.” And, when it’s put that way, it’s hard to disagree.
Even though this officer was in uniform, the top brass had already indicated that political stunts were permissible when the Chief of Department took a knee with protestors, also while in uniform. When you add the fact that Trump is standing in solidarity with law enforcement while Democrats seemingly pander to those calling for police to be defunded, it’s easy to see why an officer would support President Donald Trump.
