Vice President Kamala Harris’ 2019 comments advocating for the removal of police officers from schools have resurfaced, sparking outrage from families of school shooting victims who believe her stance contradicts their experience and prioritizes a political agenda over student safety. This controversy comes amidst a national debate on school security in the wake of numerous school shootings and rising crime rates.
This article criticizes Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s response to the 2020 Minneapolis riots, arguing that his inaction led to further violence and put law enforcement officers at risk. It highlights Walz’s refusal to deploy the National Guard despite pleas from the mayor and the burning of the city’s Third Precinct. The author also criticizes Walz’s support for the ‘defund the police’ movement, claiming it contributed to the escalating violence.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential candidate, endorsed a package of progressive police reforms in 2020, including the creation of an Office of Community-Led Public Safety Coordination, which would promote alternatives to traditional policing. These reforms were pushed after the death of George Floyd and during the height of the ‘defund the police’ movement.
Oregon Democrat Janelle Bynum, who sponsored a controversial criminal justice reform bill that would have restricted arrests and shifted funds away from law enforcement, has won a congressional primary. The bill was criticized by law enforcement and Republican officials, who argued that it would have made communities less safe. Bynum’s victory in the primary is seen as a sign of the growing influence of progressive policies in the state, and her race against Republican Lori Chavez-DeRemer in November will be closely watched as Republicans attempt to hold their narrow majority in the House.
The House of Representatives passed a resolution condemning violence against law enforcement and calls to defund the police on Friday. The resolution passed 337 to 61, with 134 Democratic “yes” votes and 61 Democrats voting against the measure. The resolution text indirectly cited the summer 2020 protests, arguing “respect for the rule of law and law enforcement officials diminished” since then. It appeared to go after progressive policies that critics have panned as soft-on-crime, claiming “policies implemented at several state and local jurisdictions have increased the difficulty and added significant risks for law enforcement to do their jobs effectively and safely.”
Rep. Mike Garcia (R-Calif.), the only Republican in the House of Representatives who represents a portion of the Los Angeles metro area, believes that a sense of security on many fronts will sway voters in November. Garcia, who represents California’s 27th Congressional District, emphasizes foreign, domestic, and economic security as the key issues driving voters’ decisions. He particularly highlights the importance of law enforcement, citing concerns about progressive policies that residents perceive as soft on crime and calls to defund the police. Garcia emphasizes that while Democrat voters in his district largely value security, they view the defund the police movement as a product of the far left and do not embrace it.
