Denying federal police assistance to combat violence is “outrageous,” President of the Seattle Police Officers Guild Michael Solan told “America’s Newsroom” on Wednesday in response to comments by Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. , earlier this week.
Speaking on “Erin Burnett Outfront” on CNN on Monday, Durkan said President Trump “clearly attacked cities led by Democratic mayors. He has said so himself.
“He is using law enforcement as a political tool,” Durkan continued. “I hate to say it, but I really think we are seeing the dry race of martial law. This is a president who uses the police and federal forces for political purposes, and that should be chilling for all Americans. ”
Solan said, “Clearly what was the dry race for Seattle, the CHAZ / CHOP experience where several people were shot dead.”
Earlier this month, Seattle police forcibly cleared the infamous Capitol Hill neighborhood protest zone “CHOP,” after weeks of protests culminating in two fatal shootings that forced the city’s Democratic leaders to finally act after facing weeks of increasing scrutiny.
“I now request the support of any local, state, or federal law enforcement agency to help us in Seattle because we almost lost the ability to have less lethal tools that are effective in stopping a rampant mob,” Solan said.
“If we lost that tool, we would have lost an enclosure last weekend and the evidence is that 60 policemen were injured by improvised explosive devices, projectiles, wood, frozen water bottles [and] metal.
“Therefore, denying me any assistance from any law enforcement agency for me is outrageous and I have yet to hear an elected official show concern for the officers who were injured last weekend.”
The police union leader made the comments a day after authorities said a tactical team of border agents deployed to Seattle last week to help protect federal property left the city.
Durkan said he was informed by the Department of Homeland Security about the move. The Special Response Team was dispatched to the city last week as the Trump administration continues to defend the federal government’s intervention in an effort to restore law and order amid ongoing protests in various cities.
In a tweet, Durkan said police decisions should be made by Police Chief Carmen Best, not Trump. Agents were deployed to Seattle to protect federal property in the wake of the riots after weeks of protests and the occupation of the so-called autonomous protest zone, where police officers and other first responders were denied entry.
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In Seattle over the weekend, dozens of police officers were injured, and one required hospitalization, according to local and police reports. Other injuries included bruising, abrasions, burns, and a torn meniscus, but many officers were able to return to work.
Some rioters set fire to a portable trailer and threw an explosive device at a police compound, while authorities used explosive balls, rounds of sponge and OC spray to disperse protesters.
About 50 people were arrested, Seattle police said.
“No elected official has shown concern for any of the officers who were injured,” Solan said, noting that several officers suffered “serious injuries.”
“And I have not yet heard anyone say that this is irrational activism, it is criminal behavior on behalf of the marginal group of anarchists who are pushing a political agenda,” he continued, adding that “the police are on target.”
Solan went on to discuss the ramifications of cutting millions of dollars from the city’s police department budget.
“Officials elected two months ago, the President of the Seattle City Council and the Mayor, [said] that the Seattle Police Department is the most progressive agency in this nation, leading the training and policy reduction, “Solan said.” It seems ironic to me that the city council is now looking to disburse us 50 percent.
“That movement will make CHAZ / CHOP, the experience that was, seem like child’s play when you have up to 800 officers who will lose their jobs,” he continued, noting that “50 percent of the budget is 85 percent of salary. ” ”
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“Seattle will be a lawless wasteland,” Solan said.
Louis Casiano and Edmund DeMarche of Fox News contributed to this report.
