Koch’s Lesson for Trump

As President Trump talks of sending in federal law-enforcers to help Chicago, New York and other cities deal with surging crime, we can’t help but think of a line from Mayor Ed Koch after he lost to Mayor David Dinkins: “The people have spoken, and they must be punished.”

Meaning: The public needs to experience the leadership it selects.

New Yorkers elected Bill de Blasio — twice — and also the hyper-progressive state and city legislators who’ve so worked to provide comfort and aid to local lawbreakers. Now they’re learning their lesson (we hope).

That’s how democracy works, and the alternatives are much, much worse.

Federal authorities have a right and a duty to step in under certain circumstances — notably, as in Portland right now, to protect federal property.

Indeed, as Andy McCarthy notes, if the feds didn’t have a clear right to enforce federal laws everywhere, there’d be no need to declare a “sanctuary city”: Mayors like de Blasio could simply order the feds out.

But federal help in enforcing local laws is another matter. As a matter of practicality, it can only work when both sides cooperate, as Long Island authorities are cooperating with the Trump Justice Department to take out the MS-13 monsters.

It’s another story when local officials lack the will to face down local criminals: The feds can’t give the likes of de Blasio or Chicago’s Lori Lightfoot or Portland’s Ted Wheeler the spine implants they need.

Democratic mayors have let their cities devolve into chaos. It is Democratic mayors who should take the responsibility — and the blame — for what has happened.

Four years of David Dinkins led the people of New York to elect Rudy Giuliani, with a mandate to bring crime down. That produced the most remarkable gains in public order in living memory.

There’s no guarantee de Blasio’s replacement will be as great an improvement, but it’s up to the people to decide.

Thanks for thinking of New York, Mr. President, but the city needs to solve its own problems.