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Police Abuse

How the Punisher, a Murderous Anti-Hero, Became the Mascot for Increasingly Militarized Police Forces

“He is breaking the very laws…that cops are supposed to uphold.”

Joe Lancaster | Coming: From the December 2025 issue

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A police officer pictured with Punisher challenge coins | Photo: Ken Dilanian | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Midjourney
(Photo: Ken Dilanian | Illustration: Eddie Marshall | Midjourney)

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This article originally appeared in print under the headline "The Punisher Isn’t a Role Model."

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NEXT: The Government Shutdown Isn't Stopping Trump From Amassing 'Emergency' Powers

Joe Lancaster is an assistant editor at Reason.

Police AbuseComicsPoliceMilitarization of PolicePolice StateFBICultureCivil LibertiesTrump AdministrationLaw enforcementArtEntertainment
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