Dems: Trump's Nassau visit crossed the line on using public resources for politics

ALBANY — Democrats filed a complaint Friday that contends that President Donald Trump's recent visit to Nassau County to tout Republican gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman — surrounded by police in a county-owned facility — amounts an improper partisan political rally using public resources.

Democratic State Chairman Jay Jacobs asked the State Board of Elections to investigate the possible "inappropriate use of county government resources — including law enforcement."

"Blakeman has exploited the governmental office of Nassau County Executive to deploy county funds, facilities and personnel, all in furtherance of his own statewide candidacy," Jacobs said in a statement Friday, which was first reported by WNYC public radio.

Blakeman’s campaign issued a statement criticizing his opponent, Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul, rather than Jacobs, and blamed the governor for criticizing "the President for coming to tour our outstanding law enforcement facilities and honor law enforcement professionals."

At issue is Trump’s Aug. 14 trip to the Nassau County David Mack Center for Training and Intelligence. Jacobs noted that the property serves as the county’s police academy and is part of the Nassau County Community College campus.

Though the White House said the event was about announcing crime statistics, Trump, GOP congressional candidates and U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche spoke at the event, touted Blakeman and criticized Democratic candidates.

"He's going to win. I feel it," Trump said of Blakeman at one point. Later, though, he said if he had to choose, he’d rather have Republicans win Congress than Blakeman win his race.

At another point, Trump said: "We have to get Bruce into office."

Jacobs’ complaint wasn’t the first related to the Republican event. Public Citizen, a national watchdog group, asked the federal Office of Special Counsel to investigate whether Blanche violated the Hatch Act, which the group said prohibits the attorney general from campaigning for or against candidates. The federal Justice Department called the complaint baseless.

Jacobs said the state Board of Elections should "determine the fair value" of the county resources used for the rally, determine if it is an "in-kind contribution" — that is a non-monetary contribution that benefits a candidate — that could exceed the limits on such contributions and, if warranted, assess the Blakeman campaign a civil penalty.

By Yancey Roy

yancey.roy@newsday.com@yanceyroy