PA House GOP expected to impeach Philadelphia DA Krasner
Fox News correspondent Laura Ingle reports on Pennsylvania Republicans’ efforts to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner after reports painted an alarming picture of crime under his leadership.
The White House responded late Wednesday to Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner after he warned President Donald Trump to steer clear of America's birthplace when it comes to the way the feds took over Washington, D.C.'s law enforcement apparatus in response to its crime wave.
"Of course this Democrat, Soros-backed DA is upset that the president is taking bold action to crack down on violent crime," White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson told Fox News Digital.
"Philly has allowed crime to run rampant and provided sanctuary to violent criminal illegal aliens. And George Soros is funding protests against law and order in DC."
Jackson said the Democrats' approval rating remains at "record lows" because of figures like Krasner "oppo[sing] commonsense efforts to stop violent crime and restore safety to America’s streets."
Late Tuesday, Krasner told CNN that Trump "better not try it in Philly" – and called him a "convicted criminal" who allegedly opposes public safety and wants to be a "dictator."
Philadelphia DA Lawrence Krasner, left, President Donald Trump, right (Reuters)
"[Trump] may think he’s going to try it in other places. But the fact is, legally, he has much less of a right to do any of this in other cities," said Krasner, who has been backed by left-wing Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros.
"Donald Trump is the emergency, folks… If you want your democracy, you better stand up now."
The warning came days after a Democratic former jurist announced he would run on the Republican line in November in hopes of defeating Krasner and ending the city's own crime troubles — which led Philadelphia Democratic Party boss Bob Brady to boot Judge Patrick Dugan because "we don't want liars in our party."
Krasner went on to underscore Trump’s convictions in New York City and claimed he "pardons people who are criminals and do pretty dastardly things" — going on to blame the president for the deaths of five law enforcement officers who responded to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot.
"There is no indication that this man is in favor of law-abiding behavior of public safety. But he is in favor of power. He is in favor of fascism. He is in favor of ending democracy."
DC ATTORNEY GENERAL BRIAN SCHWALB SLAMS TRUMP'S FEDERAL TAKEOVER, BREAKING WITH POLICE UNION
When asked what he would do if Trump tried to incur into the sixth-largest city in the U.S. — which, notably, has one of the largest so-called "open-air drug markets" in the Kensington neighborhood — Krasner said he hopes there will be judges in Pennsylvania who "still believe in the law, even if some of his hacks on the Supreme Court do not."
Krasner said Philadelphia is the "cradle of democracy" and "that’s why our name has been in [Trump’s] mouth in malicious ways for a very, very long time."
DNC VICE CHAIR COMPARES PRESIDENT TRUMP TO NOTORIOUS SEGREGATIONISTS DURING HEATED TOWN HALL EVENT
The prosecutor dismissed claims about rampant crime in Philadelphia, claiming homicides are the lowest in 50 years and that there are also low incarceration rates.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"This is a profoundly unAmerican attempt to exercise power in ways that are illegal, to scare big cities, and to go after Democratic cities that are diverse, to serve his racist, fascist agenda… [W]e all have to stand up to it," Krasner said.
Pennsylvania Republicans in the state legislature – with a GOP-controlled Senate and narrowly Democratic-controlled House – attempted to impeach Krasner in 2022. The effort was halted by Judge Ellen Ceisler, who ruled the legal standard of "misbehavior in office" was not met by the seven articles filed by the House.
More from Politics
Fox News Politics
Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more Fox News politics content.
By entering your email and clicking the Subscribe button, you agree to the Fox News Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and agree to receive content and promotional communications from Fox News. You understand that you can opt-out at any time.
