Fox News’ Peter Doocy is asking if President Joe Biden believes New York’s bail reform law is an example of “good governing.”
Doocy noted during a press briefing on Monday a story in the New York Post about an alleged serial pickpocket in New York City who was released without bail.
He also pointed out, “We’ve seen an arsonist burn down a half a million dollar Christmas tree in New York City, back out on the streets.”
“Does the president think that’s good governing?” Doocy asked.
Psaki responded, “I think I’ve spoken to the President’s concerns about retail theft…I would point you to the local police departments or the Department of Justice.”
Watch the video below:
Doocy: “We’ve seen an arsonist burn down a half a million dollar Christmas tree … back out on the streets. Does the president think that’s good governing?”
— The Recount (@therecount) December 13, 2021
Psaki: “I would point you to the local police departments or the Department of Justice.” pic.twitter.com/TRJauVsCit
Last week, a Christmas tree outside Fox News’ headquarters in New York City was set on fire which caused an estimated $500,000 in damage. The suspect was released without bail.
According to Fox News, “The arson and other charges [the suspect] was facing – including criminal mischief, reckless endangerment, and criminal trespass — were considered misdemeanors, not requiring a bail payment under liberal New York City’s laws.”
The Brennan Center for Justice explains, “The purpose of the original bail reform law was to reduce the number of people jailed while awaiting trial simply because they could not afford to pay bail. Court watchers estimated that it would have reduced the jail population by at least 40 percent by eliminating cash bail for as much as 90 percent of arrests. For the remaining cases, judges maintained the option of setting cash bail.”
New York City Mayor-elect Eric Adams (D) has criticized the law, which applies to most misdemeanors and nonviolent felony charges, as he pointed to the alleged Christmas tree arsonist.
“This guy has clearly made a decision that, you know, I’m just going to continue to wreak havoc. Arson is a serious crime, and judges should be able to look at the person in front of them on those violent actions and make a determination [on whether to hold him]. That is the missing piece,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
Adams added, “That’s probably a picture-perfect example — not having the discretion to do a profile of the person that’s in front of you. Judges need to do a better job, and where they can give bail, they should do so, but in cases like that, that is where the tweak needs to be.”
