RNC Statement on Rising Crime

WASHINGTON — Republican National Committee (RNC) National Press Secretary Emma Vaughn released the following statement on Biden's speech on rising crime rates:

"Actions speak louder than words, and President Biden’s failure to hold his own party accountable for defunding police is endangering communities and triggering a spike in crime across the country. American small businesses, families, and communities are experiencing the devastating effects of anti-police rhetoric and police department budget cuts at the hands of Democrat politicians. The Republican Party prioritizes public safety, and conservatives at the federal, state, and local levels are committed to keeping our communities safe and police departments funded.” 

Background: 

• One year after the Democrats’ “defund the police” movement took hold, some Democrat-run cities are walking back efforts to strip police departments of funding after crime rates have sharply risen.
  • This about-face comes after months of anti-police rhetoric – a disgrace to the courage and selflessness of dedicated law enforcement officers across our nation.
    • Fewer than one in five Americans supports defunding the police.
  • Crime rates are spiking across the nation: “nearly all major American cities are seeing spikes in violent crime.”
  • Amid rising crime, Democrat controlled-cities including Minneapolis, Oakland, Los Angeles, New York City, Baltimore, and Portland, are now partially refunding police.
• Joe Biden is responsible for this horrific trend, as he has failed to hold National and local Democrats, like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and, Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO),  accountable for their anti-police rhetoric.
• During his campaign, Biden was weak at a critical juncture when cities and communities saw rioting, violence, arson, and looting take hold, and as a result, numerous police groups broke with Biden, instead endorsing President Trump for a second term.