Outgoing New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton on Wednesday mocked Donald Trump for talking tough, even though the Republican presidential nominee has probably never taken “an actual punch” in his life.
“He talks tough, but I think I know a little bit about law and order and policing. I would not trust that he would be able to do much about that, being quite frank with you,” Mr. Bratton said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.”
“I always wonder about ’tough guys,’ that talk tough,” he continued. “I wonder if Mr. Trump has ever taken a punch in his life, in the sense of an actual punch.”
Mr. Trump claimed to be the “law and order candidate” during his acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, The Hill reported.
“On the law-and-order issue, on the Vietnam veterans issue, the attacks on Muslims … I just don’t get,” Mr. Bratton, a Vietnam veteran, said. “I know Mr. Trump, I’ve known him over the years, but I’m not supporting him.”
Mr. Bratton said he was “appalled” at the way Mr. Trump handled a veteran giving him his Purple Heart Tuesday at a rally in Virginia. Mr. Trump said, “I always wanted to get the Purple Heart — this was much easier,” before inviting the retired lieutenant colonel onstage for a photo op.
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“That’s one of the highest awards for soldiers suffering serious injury received in combat,” Mr. Bratton said. “The idea to treat it so lightly … I was amazed and appalled. I’m amazed that fellow vets are so supportive of him.”
During a second interview Wednesday on CBS, Mr. Bratton said the thought of a Trump presidency “scares the hell” out of him.
“I’ve just watched this whole campaign and I just shake my head,” he said.
Mr. Bratton, 68, is retiring from the public sector to join Teneo Holdings, a company with close ties to the Clintons.
“I can guarantee that I’ll be attacked for the fact the new position I’m going to — the company I’m going to — is seen as close to the former president,” Mr. Bratton said Wednesday, The New York Post reported.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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