Cuomo criticizes NYPD, de Blasio
Governor says National Guard is ready to be deployed where needed
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said the New York Police Department “did not do their job” and failed to protect its city on Monday as looters masquerading as protesters destroyed and burglarized stores, transforming peaceful protests into melees.
He also said Mayor Bill de Blasio should accept his offer to bring in the National Guard, noting that he could displace the mayor and “basically take over the mayor’s job.” But, he added, “I don’t think we’re at that point.”
“The NYPD and the mayor did not do their job last night,” Cuomo said Tuesday during his daily briefing. “Use the police, protect property and people. Look at the videos, it was a disgrace. I believe that . ... I believe the mayor underestimates the scope of the problem ... the duration of the problem and I don’t think they used enough police to address the situation.”
Patrick J. Lynch, president of the NYPD’S Police Benevolent Association, fired back at Cuomo later Tuesday, saying the department is being blamed for poor coordination between the state and city.
“Rank-and-file New York City police officers were out on the street last night doing our job. Tonight, we’ll go out and do it again,” Lynch said. “It’s not our fault that our city and state governments can’t plan and work together, but we are suffering the consequences. Police officers are being run down, knocked down and almost shot on a nightly basis. The political tug of war between Albany and City Hall needs to stop, because it is putting police officers in danger.”
The mayor, during a new conference on Tuesday morning — before Cuomo spoke — dismissed any assertions that the violence and looting are being tolerated by his police force, noting the department made 700 arrests overnight Monday.
“There is no such thing as being able to loot with impunity. I am so sick of these efforts to mischaracterize reality,” de Blasio said. “I was all over New York City last night. I saw police officers trying to deal with a very difficult situation. We have not seen a situation like this, and it’s literally because of very particular dynamics that have come together.”
De Blasio, like Cuomo, accused opportunists of hijacking the protests to engage in looting and violence. He said the NYPD would call in every available officer from the 38,000-member force and “address the situation.”
“Remember even in the days after the protest began, we didn’t see this. Some of this is very organized,” de Blasio said. “Maybe some of it’s more random, but it is never, ever, ever accepted. It won’t be accepted. When our officers got where they needed to be, they acted. So, I’m just sorry, I’m never going to accept anyone even implying that something would be tolerated.”
Cuomo said 13,000 New York National Guard troops are ready to be deployed in any cities that need additional law enforcement, including New York City. Cuomo said he witnessed rampant looting and what appeared to be not enough police officers in New York City to stop it.
The governor said that businesses in minority communities that have taken years to build up were especially hard hit.
“These looters destroyed businesses that were essential to the community and the very people we are trying to help,” Cuomo said. “The police must stop the looting and the criminal activity — that is the essence of the police force. They did not do that in New York City last night … and I am disappointed and outraged at what happened in New York City last night.”
Cuomo then walked back his criticism of the NYPD, suggesting it is a leadership problem, and that the NYPD has handled “numerous rioting situations in New York City.”
“They have to be given the confidence and the support to do it,” Cuomo said. “You have 38,000 police officers, deploy them . ... Police officers want to know that they’re supported and what the mission is.”
The State Police also are available to assist cities that need additional law enforcement, Cuomo said.
The governor drew a sharp contrast between what he said are protesters outraged by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, who died after a police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes, and others who are using the moment to engage in criminal activity and destroy businesses and historic landmarks.
“People see this moment and they exploit it, and that is criminal activity and looting,” Cuomo said. “That’s called criminal activity. They have no right to wrap themselves in the f lag of righteous indignation of Mr. Floyd’s murder. They’re opportunists who are seizing and exploiting the moment.”
Former New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani also weighed in Tuesday, tweeting: “Mayor de Blasio needs to step down. He is incompetent. We are losing a tremendous amount of property. We are seeing people damaged and hurt. Pretty soon, we’re going to lose lives if this man doesn’t get out of the way and let someone activate the police department!”
Cuomo said that New York National Guard troops will not be deployed outside New York.
“We have the National Guard in this state on standby, if we need them in this state,” Cuomo said. “I wouldn’t grant any request to send National Guard out of this state at this time because I want them in this state . ... We may need them.”