Syracuse police union blasts Biden’s New York visit after deaths of two officers: ‘Just wrong’

Several members of the police union in Syracuse, New York , are shocked that President Joe Biden is still on track to visit the city to tout the CHIPS and Science Act, calling the move "unacceptable" and "just wrong."

Biden's trip to Syracuse comes after two police officers were killed in the line of duty last week. New York lawmakers and local community members have expressed opposition to the president's trip, during which he plans to announce $6.1 billion in federal funding for Micron, a computer technology company.

In an interview with the Washington Examiner, Syracuse Police Benevolent Association spokesman Joe Moran said he thinks the president does not understand the tragedy that struck the community.

"This has probably been the worst week in our lives for each and every one of us," Moran said.

The funeral for Onondaga County Lt. Sheriff’s Deputy Michael Hoosock, one of the two officers who were killed, was held Monday. The community held a funeral, which was attended by hundreds of the area's police officers and law enforcement officials, for Syracuse police officer Michael Jensen on Saturday.

"I'm shocked that President Biden says federal grants and Micron is more important than the death of two police officers," Moran said. "Either he's underestimating ... the impact that this has had on our members or he just doesn't care.

"It's one of the two," Moran continued. "Whichever one it is, it's unacceptable."

Moran pointed to the "extensive manpower" that is required to provide security for a presidential visit, calling it "unimaginable."

"It's going to bring our workforce front and center to have to come in and provide security this weekend," Moran said. "The timing of this is just wrong."

Greg Loh, chief policy officer for Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh, confirmed to the Washington Examiner that the mayor asked Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) for help from the New York State Police, who agreed to assist with security for the president’s visit.

Though the union is expressing a desire for postponement, Syracuse Police Chief Joseph Cecile said in a statement to the Washington Examiner that the Syracuse Police Department did not request that Biden postpone his visit.

"We did, however, in early conversations with the Secret Service, express our concern about SPD’s capacity to adequately cover this detail, as we were grieving the loss of two fallen officers—Syracuse Police Officer Michael Jensen and Onondaga County Sheriff Deputy Lt. Michael Hoosock—and planning their services," Cecile said. "Having said that, we are now fully engaged with Secret Service and all of our local law enforcement partners to ensure the President’s visit is seamless.”

Cecile added that all Syracuse police officers working for the detail will be on a volunteer basis.

Moran said he has spoken with several Police Benevolent Association members who are "deeply frustrated given the fact that they're still trying to recover from this tragedy."

"And now we have to bring a significant workforce together to fill this detail," Moran said. "It doesn't have to be right now. This Micron announcement does not supersede the death of two police officers."

Other political figures are weighing in on Biden's visit. Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY), who represents Syracuse, sent a letter to Biden on Monday urging him to postpone the trip.

“I would be happy to join you in announcing this critical funding at a later date — it is worth celebrating,” Williams said. "Mr. President, I ask you to heed the calls of local law enforcement and postpone it to a later date."

Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) have also slammed the president's decision to continue with the trip, with the former calling it a “misguided and cruel move by the Biden administration.”

Moran said he had read the letter Williams sent and that "I appreciate his sentiment," but added that he has not spoken to the congressman or any other federal lawmakers about Biden's visit.

Moran said the members of the Syracuse police department are "crushed" because the deaths of Hoosock and Jensen marked the first time the city had lost a police officer in over 30 years. Both men were killed on April 14 during a shootout in the town of Salina, New York.

"I would say that, given that yesterday was the final funeral for Lt. Hoosock, we're just starting to grieve, and hopefully, over time, we'll be able to recover from this," Moran said. "I think there will be a number of our members who don't recover from this."

Moran said many police officers are still out on administrative leave as a result of the shooting and the subsequent deaths.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Can you give us a minute to catch our breath?" Moran said as a message to Biden.

The Washington Examiner reached out to the White House, the Biden campaign, and Hochul for comment.