President Trump called out New York’s governor and the mayor of Rochester after the city’s whole police command announced their collective retirement on Tuesday.  

Trump accused “The Democrat Mayor” and Governor Andrew Cuomo of having no idea what to do after police chief La’Ron Singletary and the rest of the department’s top brass resigned their posts after days of protests over the death of Daniel Prude.  

Prude, a 41-year-old black man, died in March after being captured by police for running down a street naked. Responding officers placed a spit hood over his head and held him down for nearly two minutes when Prude stopped breathing. He was resuscitated but died a week later when life support was removed.  

Prude’s family released police reports and body camera footage last Wednesday, garnering public outrage and igniting days of protests which have turned violent.  

Seven police officers were suspended last Thursday and the state’s Attorney General announced a grand jury investigation into Prude’s death over the weekend, but protest organizers said demonstrations would continue until the mayor and police chief resigned.  

In a statement, Singletary called out detractors for mischaracterizing his actions surrounding Prude’s death. “As a man of integrity, I will not sit idly by while outside entities attempt to destroy my character.”

Mayor Lovely Warren announced the department’s resignations during Tuesday’s city council meeting. When asked who would be in charge of the night’s protests, she replied that she didn’t know.  

 

President Trump tweeted that the state of New York is a mess. “No Money, High Taxes & Crime, Everyone Fleeing,” he tweeted. “November 3rd. We can fix it!”