OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
Democratic Georgia gubernatorial nominee Stacey Abrams claimed this week that she supports law enforcement despite previously backing some level of police defunding. Or, as some liberals are trying to call it, “reallocating resources” away from law enforcement.
During the Georgia gubernatorial debate on Monday against Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, Abrams claimed longtime support for law enforcement. Abrams spokesperson Michael Holloman also recently told Fox News that she “does not and never has supported defunding the police.”
However, during an appearance on CNN’s New Day in June 2021, host Alisyn Camerota questioned if Abrams agreed with “some defunding,” and she responded, “We have to reallocate resources, so yes.”
“If there’s a moment where the resources are so tight that we have to choose between whether we murder black people or serve black people, then absolutely our choice must be service,” Abrams continued. “But I actually think it’s creating a false choice and a false narrative that’s playing into the hands of Donald Trump and the Republicans and sometimes into a media narrative that seeks to make overly simplistic decisions.”
During the debate on Monday night, Kemp asked Abrams how many sheriffs had publicly endorsed her campaign. Abrams responded by claiming she supports law enforcement.
More than 100 Georgia sheriffs have condemned Abrams for her support of measures that suggest some form of defunding police.
“Over the last four years, Governor Kemp and his family stood shoulder to shoulder with the men and women serving in Georgia’s law enforcement community. Working alongside our departments, Governor Kemp has championed legislation to recruit and retain more officers into the profession, strengthen penalties for criminals and help keep Georgia’s streets safe, and prevent rogue local governments from stripping critical funding and resources from police,” the letter said.
“In stark contrast, Stacey Abrams has repeatedly shown complete disdain for law enforcement and the risk we take every day putting our lives on the line to serve our communities. Ms. Abrams actively serves on the governing board of – and has profited from – an anti-police organization that openly advocates for abolishing prisons and stripping local police departments of their funding. Stacey Abrams also supports proposals that put criminals back on our streets and clears their criminal record, and she opposed legislation to crack down on human trafficking when she served in the state legislature,” the letter added.
“These policies and Ms. Abrams’ role in advocating for them put Georgia’s law enforcement officers and the communities we serve at risk. In these uncertain times, it is critical to our profession that Georgia’s leaders stand firmly behind the men and women in law enforcement who keep Georgia families safe. We are grateful to have the support of Governor Kemp and his administration, and we call on Stacey Abrams to disavow the dangerous policies she supports,” it continued.
Kemp announced this week his plan to roll out additional public safety priorities aimed at “building a safer, stronger Georgia for all who call the Peach State home.”
“Since day one of my administration, I have worked hard to deliver on my campaign promises by cracking down on criminal street gangs, standing with our men and women in law enforcement, and leading the fight against violent crime across our state,” said Governor Kemp.
“Although we’ve made significant progress putting dangerous criminals behind bars and making our communities safer, we still have work left to do. Building on Marty’s bipartisan work on human trafficking, we will prioritize the fight against this evil industry in my second term. We will increase penalties for gang members who try to recruit our children, help more hardworking Georgians become members of our law enforcement community, and help stop the revolving door of criminals getting back out onto our streets. By working together, we will build a safer, stronger Georgia and ensure the Peach State’s best days are ahead,” Kemp added in his statement.
