Although this is the introduction to my column and not my main topic, it is more important. On Sunday, June 2, from 11:30 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. between 62nd and 74th Streets on Fifth Avenue will IY”H be what was referred to as the Israeli Day Parade and Celebrate Israel Parade but is now called Israel Day on Fifth.
If there was any year that it was most important to have a large crowd, it is this year. In the past, there was a small area with a few protesters. It will be different this year. I expect a large pro-Palestinian contingent, which I assume will be in their usual area. They will probably try to protest in other areas. I do not think it is mere coincidence that this year the parade starts from 62nd Street, above their traditional protest area, as opposed to the traditional step-off at 57th Street. Also, the parade will receive more attention to see whether the Jewish community is supporting Israel. A small crowd will be interpreted as showing lack of support. We cannot be complacent because clearly our enemies are not.
Now to my main topic. I could spend every column mentioning the crazy nonsense spouted out by Trump, but normally there are more critical issues to address. However, this past week, the accusation by Trump was dangerous. In a fundraising email, Trump stated, “It’s just been revealed that Biden’s DOJ was authorized to use DEADLY FORCE for their DESPICABLE raid in Mar-a-Lago. You know they’re just itching to do the unthinkable…Joe Biden was locked & loaded ready to take me out & put my family in danger.” He said a similar thing on “Truth Social.” Congressmembers Majorie Taylor Greene and Paul Gosar accused Biden, the FBI, and the DOJ of planning to assassinate Trump. They claimed that this was based on an FBI Deadly Force Policy. There are a few problems with these crazy ideas. First is the language of the policy, which limits the use of deadly force:
“Policy statement use of deadly force (7/19/2022) 1. Law enforcement officers of the Department of Justice may use deadly force only when necessary, that is, when the officer has a reasonable belief that the subject of such force poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or to another person. A. Deadly force may not be used solely to prevent the escape of a fleeing suspect. B. Firearms may not be fired solely to disable moving vehicles. Specifically, firearms may not be discharged at a moving vehicle unless: i. a person in the vehicle is threatening the officer or another person with deadly force by means other than the vehicle; or ii. the vehicle is operated in a manner that threatens to cause death or serious physical injury to the officer or others, and no other objectively reasonable means of defense appear to exist, which includes moving out of the path of the vehicle. C. If feasible and if to do so would not increase the danger to the officer or others, a verbal warning to submit to the authority of officer shall be given prior to the use of deadly force. D. Warning shots are not permitted outside of the prison context. E. Officers will be trained in alternative methods and tactics for handling resisting subjects, which must be used when the use of deadly force is not authorized by this policy. F. Deadly force should not be used against persons whose actions are a threat solely to themselves or property unless an individual poses an imminent danger of death or serious physical injury to the officer or others in close proximity. 2. Officers should seek to gain voluntary compliance before using force if feasible and if doing so would not increase the danger to the officer or others. 3. Officers must prevent or stop, as appropriate, another officer from engaging in excessive or unlawful force, or force that violates DOJ policy. 4. Officers must request and/or render medical aid as appropriate.
The language would not allow the DOJ or FBI to go and assassinate Trump. It is boilerplate language that refers to a myriad of situations. Furthermore, neither Trump nor his family were home when the search occurred. The FBI, in coordination with the Secret Service, made sure that it was done then. The silence or the deflection of Republican officials to this dangerous claim is sickening.
Also, during Trump’s rally in the Bronx, two rappers, Michael Williams and Tegan Chambers, were called to the stage. I understand that Trump may have a common bond with these individuals since they are all charged with felonies. However, these individuals have criminal records and served jail time relating to weapons and were charged in 2023 with crimes including attempted murder and conspiracy relating to two gangs. Trump could have apologized for the mistake and said he was unaware, but instead, his spokesman quoted from the one charged with attempted murder that “They always whisper your accomplishments and shout your failures.” This is not even going into detail as to Trump and his supporters’ repeated attacks on judges, prosecutors, and others in the judicial system related to Trump’s cases and the January 6 criminals, whom they refer to as hostages.
This is today’s Republican Party. They support law enforcement and are tough on crime - as long as you are not going after their guys. They have become a mirror image of those on the far left who have similar views. The downside is that this decreases confidence in law enforcement and the criminal justice system. It also undercuts their legitimate arguments when they go after those who commit crimes, including the protestors on college campuses. If you want to be taken seriously, must be consistent.
Warren S. Hecht is a local attorney. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
