NYPD officer suspended for broadcasting ‘Trump 2020’ with patrol car
The officer also allegedly flashed a white power hand sign.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A New York Police Department officer has been suspended without pay for saying, “Trump 2020,” over the loudspeaker on his patrol car over the weekend, according to NYPD commissioner Dermot Shea.
On Saturday, video went viral of a New Yorker arguing with the officer, who can be heard saying, “Trump 2020. Put it on YouTube. Put it on Facebook.”
According to Twitter user @itsa_talia, who posted the video after someone sent it to her, the altercation began when the patrol car was blocking a crosswalk in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. A pedestrian reportedly walked by and flipped off the officers inside, and they began arguing, with one officer eventually flipping off the pedestrian, and the other flashing a white power hand symbol, and saying, “Trump 2020.”
The pedestrian says, “Go f— yourself, you f—, fascist,” and walks away. Police haven’t identified the officer involved.
The same day of the alleged altercation, NYPD got entangled in election politics again when officers initially seized (though later returned) a batch of Covid personal protective equipment (PPE) from an early polling location in the Red Hook neighborhood of Brooklyn.
While NYPD leadership maintains the police force is neutral, a powerful union representing tens of thousands of New York City officer endorsed the president in August, caling him a “strong voice speaking up in our defense.”
Last week, an officer in Miami was disciplined for wearing a Trump 2020 mask at an early polling location, and last Thursday, a Trump supporter allegedly flashed a white power sign behind the president as he addressed a rally in Florida.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments