A panel of CNN political commentators urged Democrats to be “more aggressive” on crime Wednesday.
Democratic Mayor Eric Adams seemed to change his stance Monday night on the migrant laws that were put in place in New York City as a result of its status as a sanctuary city, complaining that he could not remove illegal immigrants bussed into the city because it is “against the law.” Former White House Communications Director Kate Bedingfield and former Republican Georgia Lieutenant Gov. Geoff Duncan both agreed that the Democratic Party should take a harder stance against surging crime following the influx of illegal migrants into U.S. cities.
“It is tough for Democrats and I think it’s smart for Democrats to be more aggressive on it because people are feeling frightened now. I don’t subscribe to the mayor’s language. I don’t subscribe to the Trump vision of America as a decaying wasteland where packs of people are running wild, committing crime but it is true that people across the country, particularly in cities, are concerned about crime,” Bedingfield said.
“It is smart for Democrats to be more aggressive about it, to be more responsive to what people are feeling,” Bedingfield continued. “Where I think it gets dangerous is when you veer into the demagoguery and the bashing immigrants and making immigrants scapegoats know that, that I don’t believe is where the Democratic Party should be. But I do think taking on this issue of crime, being tougher, it is a good thing for Democrats and will run out to their effect.”
Duncan quoted Republican Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp who said “every state is now a border state.” The former lieutenant governor said that “awful scenarios” like the murder of nursing student Laken Riley result from issues with crime and an open border. Riley was allegedly killed by an illegal migrant at the University of Georgia after going missing on a run. (RELATED: ‘A Giant Photo-Op’: James Carville Says He’s ‘Not Overly’ Thrilled With Biden’s Planned Border Visit)
“The juxtapose is there are two separate issues, but they are blurred into one just horrific issue in Georgia,” Duncan told fellow panelists. “I think Democrats have this wrong. I think the Biden administration has this wrong. I think Democrats know that and I think it’s up to mayors to step up and say that out loud.”
“Say, ‘Joe Biden, you’re wrong,’” Duncan said. “Move your feet on this issue.”