As you cover the Harris Campaign event today, please consider the below statement and information from the Michigan Trump Team.
“Dangerously liberal Kamala Harris is as anti law enforcement as it gets. She’s spent the majority of her career failing to support them, refusing to seek the death penalty against a cop killer, praising progressive prosecutors who put criminals first, and celebrating Los Angeles’ decision to cut police funding. Her pick for Vice President, Tim Walz, let his state burn from violent rioters instead of empowering law enforcement. In 2021, Michigan had four of the 20 most violent cities in the nation – Michiganders know how crucial strong and supported law enforcement officers are in our communities. That’s the only reason flip flopping Kamala is now, once again, attempting to cover her tracks. The Police Officers Association of Michigan has endorsed President Donald J. Trump because they know that he’s the only candidate in this race that backs the blue.” Team Trump Michigan Communications Director Victoria LaCivita
On Background:
Michigan Crime:
- A rise in violent crime is plaguing Democrat-run Michigan.
- In 2021, Michigan had four of the 20 most violent cities in the nation – Detroit, Saginaw, Kalamazoo, and Lansing – and violent crime increased at a more rapid pace than the national average.
- In 2023, eight of the 50 most dangerous cities, among those with populations over 25,000 were in Michigan.
- Retail theft has hit Michigan, with a crime ring recently arrested after stealing nearly $100,000 worth of merchandise from a dozen Walgreens stores across Michigan.
- Despite the rise in crime, state and local officials are hindering the arrest and prosecution of criminals to keep them off the streets.
- In 2023, state Democrats in Michigan attempted to push a plan to allow inmates to knock off up to 20 percent of their minimum prison sentences amid criticism.
- Earlier this year, Democrats in the Michigan legislature revived the push for the “Second Look Sentencing Act” that would allow incarcerated criminals to petition for a reduced sentence.
- Michigan is suffering from an “unprecedented” police shortage.
- Since 2020, the police force in Michigan has shrunk by 900 officers.
- Michigan Sheriffs Association Director Matthew M. Saxton on policing: “Whether they were defunded or not, the profession has been demonized by federal, state and local politicians and has really hampered law enforcement’s ability to perform their duties of keeping communities safe.”
Harris Is Notoriously Soft-On-Crime:
- In 2024, Kamala Harris praises soft-on-crime “progressive prosecutors” as leading “a better way.”
- In 2022, Harris endorsed Mandela Barnes, a “Defund the Police” activist who wanted to release half of Wisconsin’s inmates.
- Harris has praised “progressive prosecutors” who “show what is possible,” calling their crime-producing policies a “better way.”
- In 2009, Harris refused to charge with murder a man whose punching of another led to death of another.
- In 2006, Harris granted probation to robber DeVaughndre Broussard, who then killed a newspaper editor a year later.
- The victim’s dad blamed Harris for the murder of his son.
- In 2004, Harris refused to seek the death penalty for David Hill, the murderer of California police officer Isaac Espinoza.
- Harris was criticized by Senator Feinstein (D-CA), saying she regretted her endorsement of Harris for District Attorney.
- Then-Attorney General of California Bill Lockyer opened an investigation into Harris’ decision.
- Police Union President Gary Delagnes criticized Harris’ decision.
- Espinoza’s widow criticized Harris, saying she wanted people to know everything about her because she took justice away from her.
- Harris failed to prosecute bank executives who ripped off Americans during the mortgage crisis, only prosecuting 10 cases in three years.
- As of 2024, 70 percent of California voters now back an initiative to amend Proposition 47, “which passed when Harris was state attorney general and recategorized low-level theft and crimes from felonies to misdemeanors.”
Harris Supported The Radical Leftist Defund The Police Movement:
- Harris celebrated Mayor Eric Garcetti (D-LA)’s decision to cut police funding by $150 million.
- Harris said putting more police in the streets does not keep communities safe.
- Harris claimed that public safety needs to be reimaged, arguing for less police in the streets and redirecting funding from law enforcement to other services.
- Harris promoted the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which bails out violent anti-police rioters, rapists, and other violent indicted criminals.
Walz is Soft on Crime:
- Walz hesitated to commit the Minnesota National Guard for three days while the Twin Cities burned during the riots that followed George Floyd’s death in May 2020.
- According to Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and records shown to the Star Tribune, when Frey requested the Guard, Walz said he “would consider it” and “hesitated.”
- When Walz was asked why the National Guard was not deployed sooner, he suggested it was Frey’s call, despite having the authority to deploy Guardsmen as governor.
- Walz said he was reluctant to mobilize the National Guard as an unwillingness to seem oppressive, saying “I will not patronize you as a white man without living [your] lived experiences.”
- Following the George Floyd riots, Walz reneged on providing police with more resources and instead called for “wide-ranging” police reform that included shifting police resources to community groups.
- Minneapolis witnessed “new lows” in police morale and saw a 21 percent reduction in officers between 2020 and 2021 after the riots.
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