“Stop Playing Politics:” Ernst Calls Out Progressive Politicians, Prosecutors for “Take No Prisoners” Approach on Crime

WASHINGTON—After  unveiling a new effort that would increase the penalties for violent offenders and child predators, U.S. Senator Joni  Ernst (R-Iowa) took progressive politicians and lenient district attorneys to task on the Senate floor for their permissive policies that are allowing crime to run rampant across the country. Using illustrations from Grand Theft Auto,  Ernst  slammed progressive politicians and prosecutors for treating crime as “fun and games with no real world penalties and only rewards.”

 

Senator Ernst’s full remarks are below:

 

“When the Biden Administration ordered the evacuation of families of U.S. diplomats from Ukraine last month due to the increased threats of Russian military action and crime, a Ukrainian official clapped back, ‘Quite frankly these Americans are safer in Kyiv than they are in Los Angeles, or any other crime-ridden city in the US.’

 

“The comment struck a nerve, because it may not be so far from the truth.

 

“In fact, an  LA police department detective says, the out-of-control crime in the city is ‘so violent, we’re telling people ‘don’t visit,’ because we don’t think we can keep you safe right now.’

 

“The city was surrendered to criminals by the LA District Attorney on his first day on the job in 2020 when he  banned bail  and prohibited prosecuting even the most serious crimes, like murder and rape, to the fullest extent of the law.

 

“The consequences of giving ‘get out of jail free’ cards to criminals  shouldn’t surprise anyone.

 

“Flash mobs of thieves breaking into local businesses are giving new meaning to ‘door busters’ as they ransack city stores like bargain shoppers on Black Friday.

 

“Looters are robbing trains like it’s the Wild West, making off with  millions-of-dollars-worth of merchandise, including pistols and shot guns.

 

“A Union Pacific Railroad official says even when apprehended, criminals boast that they will face no serious charges, and within hours they are let back out on the streets.

 

“But most troubling, over the past two years, Los Angeles has experienced a shocking 94 percent increase in homicides.

 

“The LA sheriff says it’s probably one of the biggest jumps ever and he lays the blame on the woke policies of both the District Attorney and the county board.

 

“These senseless acts of violence aren’t confined to liberal Los Angeles.

 

“And neither is the revolving prison door approach that is allowing career criminals to roam our streets.

 

“The U.S. murder rate hit its highest point in a quarter-of-a-century last year.

 

“More and more felons are being released across the country as a result of permissive policies being pushed by progressive politicians and lenient district attorneys who view punishment as the real crime.

 

“Democrats in New York, for example, recently pushed through a state law requiring the release of suspects arrested for stalking, arson, robbery, and other misdemeanors, without bail.

 

“They require the release without bail.

 

“And despite the dramatic increases in crime in New York City, a Democrat district attorney released a list of crimes on his first day in office that would no longer be prosecuted, including resisting arrest.

 

“The DA claims longer sentences don’t deter crime or result in greater community safety.

 

“But a former New York city Police Commissioner points out the obvious, that when you say you’re not going to prosecute certain crimes, you’re sending a strong message to the criminals.

 

“He notes, since the penalty was taken away, stealing a car has ‘become a game.’

 

“As a result, vehicle theft is driving up the city’s crime rate and The New York Post reported just last week that the Big Apple is becoming a live action version of the game Grand Theft Auto.

 

“But the wave of crime that has been unleashed is far more deadly than just stolen property.

 

“New York City’s murder rate spiked an astounding 47 percent last year and the killing spree is continuing into 2022.

 

“The latest victims include a teenager who was working at Burger King and two young police officers.

 

“Refusing to keep dangerous, repeat criminals with a history of violence behind bars allows anyone, at any time, to become the victim of an entirely preventable crime.

 

“For example, the low bail set by a Wisconsin district attorney’s office last November resulted in the release of a violent criminal with a long list of charges going back 15 years—including running over a woman with a Ford Escape.

 

“Within days of being released, he drove that same SUV into a crowded Christmas parade, injuring more than 60 people and killing six, including a five-year-old child and several members of the Dancing Grannies, who were entertaining the crowds.

 

“In a split second, the joy of the season was turned into a gruesome crime scene because a violent repeat offender was set free.

 

“The Democrat district attorney has since admitted the release was ‘a mistake.’

 

“Folks, we cannot afford any more of these ‘mistakes’ by public officials who are putting their personal political agenda ahead of protecting the public.

 

“If letting criminals out of jail without bail isn’t bad enough, progressive politicians are even providing perks for perpetrators.

 

“The Biden administration, for instance, is allowing illegal immigrants to use arrest warrants as alternate forms of ID at airports to clear security checkpoints and board airplanes. 

 

“And some liberal cities, like New York and San Francisco, have ‘cash for criminals’ programs that actually pay prior offenders in the hopes that they won’t shoot anyone. Great plan.

 

“That’s right, the same gang calling to defund the police wants to fund felons.

 

“A California cash for criminals program may have allowed some individuals to get away with murder.

 

“As long as the participants pledge to improve, they are still paid—even when caught with a gun, or worse, suspected of murder.

 

“Folks, it’s one thing to give first time, non-violent offenders a second chance, but rewarding career criminals by letting them loose, and paying them an allowance, is itself criminal.

 

“Democrats’ approach to criminal justice can be summed up as ‘take no prisoners,’ literally.

 

“And instead of admitting their approach has backfired, liberals keep looking for excuses and play the blame game.

 

“To address the rise in carjackings in Chicago, for example, progressive politicians proposed banning the video game Grand Theft Auto.

 

“Perhaps the real problem is making crime all fun and games with no real world penalties and only rewards—just like the video game.

 

“A retired police officer who was carjacked in his own driveway south of the city, says the carjackers know that even if they are caught, ‘they are going to get right back out.’

 

“That’s because the area’s state’s attorney promised to reduce the prison population, and by golly, she is keeping that pledge by dismissing tens of thousands of criminal cases.

 

“As a result, about 100 people charged with murder in Cook County have been let out on the city’s streets.

 

“The Chicago police superintendent is even warning that the Cook County court is ‘making us all less safe by releasing violent offenders.’

 

“The horrifying numbers speak for themselves: Chicago had more murders last year than any other city in the U.S. with nearly 800 homicides, and shootings in the city are up a shocking 63 percent since 2019.

 

“One of the fatal victims was a 7-year-old girl who was gunned down at a McDonald’s by a gang member who was allowed out of prison despite being charged with other crimes.

 

“The suspects in another recent shootout, which left one dead and two others wounded, were released without charges!

 

“Public officials charged with enforcing the law who signal that it’s OK to commit crime by reducing or eliminating penalties are engaging in criminal negligence.

 

“It’s time to put an end to prosecutors being partners in crime.

 

“I took the first step towards making our streets safer by introducing legislation to increase the penalties for some violent offenders and child predators, including life imprisonment for repeat offenders.

 

“Folks, progressive prosecutors need to stop playing politics and start doing their job, which is enforcing the law.

 

“Criminal penalties are not just suggestions, they are put in place to protect the public.

 

“Parents shouldn’t have to worry about the safety of their children, and no one should feel unsafe, especially in their own neighborhood.

 

“Let’s get serious about crime so that the only people in America who are afraid to walk down our streets are criminals.”