As Trump Shames NYPD Abusers on Twitter, Police Arrest Multiple Men in Connection with Viral Attacks
President Trump’s Twitter is often a source of controversy. On Thursday, however, the president tweeted something that Americans of all stripes — in a perfect world — would be able to get behind.
The tweet was in response to videos that shocked and saddened both New York City and the nation. The clips, which began to hit social media on Monday, showed police in two separate incidents in Brooklyn and Harlem being doused with water as bystanders egged those involved on.
One of the clips even showed a bucket being hurled at a policeman’s head — and hitting its mark — as two officers arrested a suspect on the back of a car. The man being arrested had an open arrest warrant, according to The New York Times.
Here are the videos, which we must warn you contain some profanity and disturbing images. Viewer discretion is advised:
RESTRAINT pic.twitter.com/MhvXjceiI6
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) July 22, 2019
DISRESPECT: This is what #NYPD Officers are faced with today. Petrified to take action. #BlueLivesMatter @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio @NYPDnews @NYPD73Pct pic.twitter.com/VRpVKBS5Jb
— NYC Scanner (@NYScanner) July 22, 2019
A video of a third attack, this one from the Bronx, emerged on Wednesday according to the New York Post.
Even The Times, certainly not a bastion of unalloyed love for the New York Police Department, wondered if officers felt too restrained in not making arrests.
Police were rightfully incensed: “Everybody’s outraged,” one source within the NYPD told the Post. “It’s disgusting, embarrassing. There’s lawlessness around here now.”
Another source blamed New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio for the “hands-off approach to these guys.”
“Who does that in their right frame of mind? People who believe there’s no consequences,” they told the Post.
“There’s total anarchy out here. This is very sad.”
They weren’t the only ones outraged. So, too, was President Trump.
“We love our Law Enforcement Officers all around this great Country. What took place in NYC with water being tossed on NYPD officers was a total disgrace,” the president tweeted.
“It is time for [Mayor de Blasio] to STAND UP for those who protect our lives and serve us all so well. What took place was completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Bill de Blasio should act immediately!”
We love our Law Enforcement Officers all around this great Country. What took place in NYC with water being tossed on NYPD officers was a total disgrace. It is time for @NYCMayor @BilldeBlasio to STAND UP for those who protect our lives and serve us all so well…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019
…What took place was completely unacceptable, and will not be tolerated. Bill de Blasio should act immediately!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 25, 2019
While de Blasio hasn’t necessarily acted with swiftness, police certainly have.
On Friday, 24-year-old Robert Perez was arrested for his alleged role in the attack in the Bronx. Bail was set at $3,500.
On Thursday, Courtney “Killer Court” Thompson, 28, was arrested in connection with the Brooklyn attack. An alleged gang member, Thompson was able to post his $3,500 bail. The Post reported he has 20 prior arrests going all the way up to assault and had been on probation since 2018.
Two other men were arrested in connection with the Harlem incident, although their charges stemmed from soaking a female civilian and not a police officer. Police are still looking for one of the men in connection with the Harlem attack.
What President Trump said was as non-controversial as it gets. These are sickening acts. We should stand for those who protect us. Bill de Blasio needs to act. All of those things should be apparent to those who watched the video. The fact that they won’t be is a sign of how much trouble America is in.
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