He has cast himself as a friend to the police and Democrats as aiding and abetting lawlessness by not cracking down on violence at protests. The department also examined whether jurisdictions withdrew funding or otherwise “disempowered” police departments, or refused aid from federal law enforcement, acts that all three cities have undertaken. The criteria seemed aimed directly at the three cities Mr. Trump had cited in his memo. The police-free zone operated with the tacit approval of city officials, enraging Mr. Trump, and it was not cleared until after two teenagers were fatally shot in the area. Mayor Bill de Blasio of New York said he saw “anything but anarchy” in the city, and Attorney General Letitia James warned that Mr. Trump would have to defend the order in court.

Source: New York Times September 21, 2020 22:15 UTC