Justice leaders nationwide object, say Larry Krasner’s
removal from office would ‘undermine rule of law’
A bipartisan group of 88 justice leaders from throughout the United States issued a joint statement opposing the impeachment and removal of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, reported The Davis Vanguard.
“Removing Larry Krasner from office would undermine the rule of law, democracy, and public safety,” read the statement issued Nov. 19, 2022 by the bipartisan group.
Present and former elected prosecutors, law enforcement, former U.S. attorneys, DOJ officials and judges argue that Krasner’s impeachment and viable elimination blatantly push aside the will of the voters, who elected Krasner into office for the second time. This also threatens public safety by means of “undermining the legitimacy of democracy and the rule of law,” the statement added.
“If the Pennsylvania state Legislature was truly concerned about crime in Philadelphia, they would work with the community to implement evidence-based approaches to violence prevention,” said Miriam Krinsky, executive director of Fair and Just Prosecution, which organized the statement.
“Instead, their first priority in a lame duck session was to continue the baseless attacks on Larry Krasner and undermine the electoral power and choice of the residents of Philadelphia. The Senate should reject this deeply disturbing betrayal of the voters’ will and pernicious attack on democracy,” said Krinsky.
In his reelection last year, Krasner won almost 70% of the vote.
“As an elected
S. Deberry
prosecutor, I support
reform because I know
it makes communities
safer. The rampant
misinformation seeking
to scapegoat reform
DAs for crime increase
has no basis in reality.”
District Attorney
Durham County, NC
“By telling Philadelphians that their votes do not matter — that politicians in Harrisburg better understand the violence and public safety concerns members of the community experience and live among — the Legislature has threatened the legitimacy of the justice system and those who work within it. And this erosion of trust in both law enforcement and the integrity of our democratic process will have potentially profound impacts on efforts to prevent, solve, and respond to serious crime in Philadelphia,” added Krinsky.
Signatories to the statement assert that supporters of impeachment have mischaracterized the impact of progressives like Krasner, ignoring research indicating that increases in crime are not attributable to the actions of reform DAs. Rather, special elements that describe the previous few years in all likelihood contribute to changes in crime rates, including the pandemic and record arms sales. The statement argues that a given single cause neither increases nor decreases crime.
“As an elected prosecutor, I support reform because I know it makes communities safer,” said District Attorney S. Deberry of Durham County, N.C. “The rampant misinformation seeking to scapegoat reform DAs for crime increase has no basis in reality. Instead of playing the blame game, we need policymakers who will work with us and with those most impacted by crime to promote community safety and well-being.”
One of the signatories to the statement is Timothy K. Lewis, a former federal judge as well as U.S. attorney. He finds the move to impeach Krasner incredible. “It is unthinkable that anyone — especially those who aren’t even part of the community — would attempt to nullify voters’ choice at the ballot box simply because of political differences. That isn’t democracy; it erodes faith in the rule of law, and it certainly won’t make us any safer.”
