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D.C. police union is holding its holiday party at President Trump's hotel. Some members are furious
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/a-dc-police-union-is-holding-its-holiday-party-at-president-trumps-hotel-some-members-are-furious/2019/09/27/58631a58-e08d-11e9-b199-f638bf2c340f_story.html
By David A. Fahrenthold and Clarence Williams September 27, 2019 at 1:10 p.m. EDT
An umbrella group for D.C. police unions rented out President Trump’s hotel for its annual holiday party — and now faces sharp criticism from some of its own members, who object to the high cost and the forced association with the Trump brand.
The Fraternal Order of Police lodge for the District, which advocates and organizes social events for area law enforcement, reserved Trump’s hotel for a night in early December. “A night of celebration surrounded by elegance,” the lodge said. Tickets were $175 per couple, plus $200 more if you wanted a room for overnight.
But leaders of three individual police unions — who are affiliated with the lodge, but have separate leadership — all said they were put off by the selection of the Trump hotel.
The three leaders represent the U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Capitol Police, and officers at the District’s juvenile correctional facilities
“There’s a lot of people who are, quite frankly, furious about it,” said Michael Shalton, chairman of the Park Police union.
Within his department, Shalton said that many officers were still unhappy with Trump because of his role in last winter’s government shutdown. Many Park Police officers were declared “essential” employees, and required to work without pay.
“We went six weeks without a paycheck because of this administration, and you want us to have a Christmas party there? Come on. There’s a lot of bad blood,” Shalton said.
Shalton said he personally would not attend, citing the expense.
“Who can afford to drop nearly $400 three weeks before Christmas?” Shalton said. “I know I can’t.”
</snip>
By David A. Fahrenthold and Clarence Williams September 27, 2019 at 1:10 p.m. EDT
An umbrella group for D.C. police unions rented out President Trump’s hotel for its annual holiday party — and now faces sharp criticism from some of its own members, who object to the high cost and the forced association with the Trump brand.
The Fraternal Order of Police lodge for the District, which advocates and organizes social events for area law enforcement, reserved Trump’s hotel for a night in early December. “A night of celebration surrounded by elegance,” the lodge said. Tickets were $175 per couple, plus $200 more if you wanted a room for overnight.
But leaders of three individual police unions — who are affiliated with the lodge, but have separate leadership — all said they were put off by the selection of the Trump hotel.
The three leaders represent the U.S. Park Police, the U.S. Capitol Police, and officers at the District’s juvenile correctional facilities
“There’s a lot of people who are, quite frankly, furious about it,” said Michael Shalton, chairman of the Park Police union.
Within his department, Shalton said that many officers were still unhappy with Trump because of his role in last winter’s government shutdown. Many Park Police officers were declared “essential” employees, and required to work without pay.
“We went six weeks without a paycheck because of this administration, and you want us to have a Christmas party there? Come on. There’s a lot of bad blood,” Shalton said.
Shalton said he personally would not attend, citing the expense.
“Who can afford to drop nearly $400 three weeks before Christmas?” Shalton said. “I know I can’t.”
</snip>