Members-Only Article

Which Side Are You On?

NYCPBA President Patrick Lynch (2nd L) presents US President Donald Trump with a statue after he delivered remarks to the City of New York Police Benevolent Association at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, ... NYCPBA President Patrick Lynch (2nd L) presents US President Donald Trump with a statue after he delivered remarks to the City of New York Police Benevolent Association at the Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, NJ, on August 14, 2020. (Photo by JIM WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images) MORE LESS

By Josh Marshall

August 15, 2020 9:52 a.m.

THE BACKCHANNEL

FREE EDITION

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.

Your subscription has been successful.

NEW!

A FREE email newsletter from Josh Marshall An email newsletter from Josh Marshall

I’ve written at various points about my dark view of most police unions in the country. Much of that dark view has been shaped by Pat Lynch, the head of the main NYPD police union. Lynch is almost a caricature of the municipal police union chief: intemperate, often contemptuous to civilian control, drenched in grievance. Yesterday, Lynch went to President Trump’s Bedminster resort where the President is spending the weekend and delivered the union’s endorsement for Trump, apparently the first time in living memory the union has endorsed for President.

This is a members-only article

Small Team. Big Results.

We’re proud of what our small newsroom has accomplished and it’s not hyperbole when we say that without our members, none of this would be possible.

Become a TPM Member

Free memberships available for students and those experiencing financial hardship.

Already a member? SIGN IN