Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) is telling supporters of the “Defund the Police” movement they should not be shocked by the increase in violent crime.
“There has been extended systematic attacks on our police and law enforcement professionals for years, calling them racist and bigoted and prejudiced, demanding that they be defunded and replaced with social workers,” Cotton said during a hearing on gun violence Tuesday.
He added, “When you condemn the police, when you make it harder to do their job, you shouldn’t be surprised that criminals take advantage of the opportunities that follow and that crime rises and, in particular, violent crime rises.”
Watch part of the hearing below:
At Senate hearing on gun violence, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) blames ‘Defund The Police’ movement for increase in violent crime:
— The Recount (@therecount) March 23, 2021
“When you condemn the police, when you make it harder to do their job, you shouldn’t be surprised that criminals take advantage.” pic.twitter.com/kaJF656lv2
Cotton’s comments come one day after a gunman opened fire at a Colorado grocery store, killing 10 people. Another gunman was charged last week with killing eight people at Georgia massage parlors.
A new USA Today/Ipsos poll found earlier this month the “Defund the Police” movement is unpopular among most Americans, as IJR reported.
According to the poll, only 18% of Americans support the movement, while 58% oppose it. Sixty-seven percent of white Americans and 84% of Republicans oppose it. On the other hand, 28% of Black Americans and 34% of Democrats support it.
President Joe Biden called for legislation to ban assault-style weapons and expand background checks on Tuesday during remarks from the White House.
“I don’t need to wait another minute, let alone an hour to take common-sense steps that will save the lives in the future,” Biden said.
Former President Barack Obama also released a statement following the shootings calling for more action to be taken, as IJR reported.
“We can make it harder for those with hate in their hearts to buy weapons of war. We can overcome opposition by cowardly politicians and the pressure of a gun lobby that opposes any limit on the ability of anyone to assemble an arsenal. We can, and we must,” Obama wrote.
