Once again, the Dems find themselves on the wrong side of a critical issue, a so-called 80-20 issue. Those of you who have been following the news (the real news) are cognizant that this is not the first time, and probably it will not be the last. The Dems have exhibited a propensity for this self-destruction, and if they continue to do so I predict dire consequences for them in the 2026 midterm elections. The party in power nearly always loses seats in the midterms, but 2026 may very well prove to be the exception.
As I have said in previous blogs, this is not the first time the Dems have fallen into this trap. Once again, Trump has co-opted the sensible and popular side of an issue, and the Dems have been left with a Hobson’s choice – either admit he is right and agree, or take the unpopular, illogical side. For example, three other fairly recent issues come to mind, (1) the Dems’ open border policy, (2) their openly favoring the rights of illegal immigrants over American citizens, and (3) their support of the rights of transgenders over those of females. Blinded by their insane, irrational hatred of Trump they have allowed themselves to be maneuvered into espousing the unpopular, illogical side of these issues. In my opinion these issues along with the economy played a significant part in their resounding defeat in the 2024 elections.
Crime has been one of the most significant issues for voters. People simply do not feel safe and secure, which are fundamental rights and expectations of everyone. This is the case pretty much everywhere to some extent, but it is particularly prevalent in “blue” cities like NY, Chi, LA and DC, among others. Many have characterized DC as the most crime-ridden capital in the world. At the very least it is highly dangerous and an embarrassment to the US.
All too often, criminals are not arrested, especially for “non-violent” crimes such as carjacking or assault, which are routinely ignored. (Anyone who has been a victim of one of those crimes will tell you they are most definitely NOT non-violent.) If they are arrested, due to “no cash” bail laws, they are soon released to commit more crimes, which they often do. Criminals know how to “work” the system. There have been many instances of criminals being arrested multiple times.
Shoplifting is common in some areas. Criminals simply walk into a business, brazenly take whatever they want, and walk out. Employees and security guards let them go. No one bothers to call the police. It is well known that the police are loath to arrest perpetrators of petty crimes, and if they do the jails are a revolving door. In blue jurisdictions “woke” prosecutors and judges often reduce felonies to misdemeanors, and juries tend to favor the rights of the accused over those of the victim. For instance, recently a grand jury in DC refused to indict a protester who had hit an ICE officer with a sandwich while the officer was in performance of his official duties, which legally is an assault.
Trump has dealt with this problem in a decisive, rational manner. In DC he activated the national guard to supplement and support local police who appeared to be overwhelmed. Their mere presence has had a significant benefit. Crime is way down. Homicide has been virtually eliminated. There were none in the first two weeks and, as I write this blog, only one since then.
Trump’s actions have received wide praise. Many citizens have rejoiced to reporters that, for the first times in years, they feel safe and secure enough to actually go out to restaurants and other venues. Even far left DC Mayor Muriel Bowser told reporters that she believed the boosted law enforcement presence was working.
In spite of the foregoing and the plethora of positive supporting empirical evidence the usual critics and naysayers are still in denial. For example, despite FBI data that has identified Chicago as one of the most violent and crime-ridden cities in the US IL Governor J B Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson have criticized Trump’s actions in DC and have refused his repeated offers to provide Federal troops to support local police. In my view, they are willing to place their constituents in jeopardy and permit criminals to operate with impunity rather than accept help from Trump. They feel to do so would constitute recognition that his policy is right and is working. Consequently, in effect, they are siding with criminals over law-abiding citizens. It should be noted that the majority of these crimes are “black on black,” which contradicts the Dems’ claim that they seek to help the poor and disadvantaged.
To be sure, there have been critics. For instance, Politico cited reports from the Rochester Institute of Technology and the DOJ, itself, declaring that the murder rate and all violent crimes in DC had declined from 2023 to 2024. The implication was that DC had matters under control, did not need federal assistance, and Trump had “overstepped” in providing it. However, supporters have denoted that even those rates were still unacceptably high. Additionally, some observers have expressed doubt as to the veracity of those crime numbers. For example, there is evidence that many violent crimes may have been classified as misdemeanors. Moreover, as I said, it is a fact that in the weeks immediately following Trump’s deployment of federal troops there were NO homicides in DC and, as I write this, only one thereafter. Finally, the White House cited several high-profile victims of crimes, including the murders of two embassy staffers, and a congressional intern as well as assaults on various members of Congress, which have drawn much media reportage.
Conclusion
The foregoing is yet another example of the Dems being out of touch with the will of the voters, another example of their blind hatred of Donald Trump maneuvering them onto the wrong side of an 80-20 issue. How could they possibly think that supporting criminals over victims and violence over safety are winning strategies? It is simply amazing. I have never seen anything like it. There is no way to “spin” this. The public will not fooled.
As I have written many times, the Dems have allowed the far-left minority to hijack their party. The moderates, if there are any, have been cowed into silence. For God’s sake, they are about to elect a Marxist as Mayor of NYC, a Marxist!
Normally, there is an ebb and flow to the popularity and power of the two political parties from one election cycle to the next. Based on that, one could expect the Dems, which are down now, to make a comeback. However, I don’t see how they can rebound from this in the foreseeable future.
We Built It Blog by Larry Jacob 