NC’s Brad Knott highlights Trump’s effort to tackle DC crime

Congressman Brad Knott, R-NC13, joined members of the Republican Study Committee in Washington on Tuesday to spotlight President Donald Trump’s push to crack down on crime in the nation’s capital. 

Knott, who spent time as a federal prosecutor before becoming a member of Congress, spoke about the importance of law and order. 

“I investigated violent criminals; I investigated cartels; I investigated human traffickers wherever they were all over this country,” Knott said at the press conference. “It became very clear to me when I was working with law enforcement that if you don’t fight crime, if you don’t attack it, if you don’t work hard for long sentences, crime will flourish. And that’s exactly what we’ve seen here in Washington, DC.”

In early August, the president declared a public safety emergency in Washington, DC, assuming control of the Metropolitan Police and deploying more than 800 National Guard troops to tackle crime. 

“I know some of the federal agents who have been called to serve in Washington as part of the president’s initiative,” said Knott. “And since their arrival, I have been astounded as I have stayed in touch with them at the amount of contraband, the number of dangerous people — whether it’s drugs, whether it’s gangs, whether it’s illegal firearms, whether it’s human trafficking, whether it’s South American cartels. You name it; it is right here in Washington, DC.” 

Fox News reports that since the president’s declaration, authorities have made 1,669 arrests, including 16 gang members tied to MS-13 and Tren de Aragua. 

At the press conference, Knott delivered a sharp rebuke of the Democratic Party, criticizing their policies, which he says enable criminals. 

“The soft-on-crime policies of the Democrats have unfortunately allowed crime to spiral out of control, whether in DC or elsewhere around the country,” Knott said. “Regardless of who you are, when you come to Washington, it’s a safe city now. Businesses are thankful. Families are thankful. Citizens, tourists, we are all thankful. It’s time to stop turning a blind eye for crime wherever it is.” 

Recent Carolina Journal polling shows crime is a top concern for voters, with more than 63% saying it is somewhat or very concerning in their communities.