Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband have repeatedly donated to Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit law group that advocates for defunding the police and supporting sanctuary cities. This has raised concerns among law enforcement and critics who argue that such policies have contributed to rising crime rates.
Vice President Kamala Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, have come under fire for their financial support of Legal Aid DC, a nonprofit law group that has advocated for slashing police budgets and reducing patrols in high-crime areas.
According to financial disclosures released by the White House, Harris and Emhoff have repeatedly donated to Legal Aid DC. The donations were part of a pattern of support for left-leaning nonprofits by the couple.
Kamala Harris's Funding of Anti-Police Nonprofit Sparks Controversy
In 2020, shortly after the death of George Floyd and the subsequent anti-police riots, Legal Aid DC tweeted its opposition to a report that the city's top prosecutor was suing its Housing Authority for its alleged failure to confront drug and gun crime. The group also condemned a proposed budget increase for Washington's Metropolitan Police Department and called for reducing funding for police and re-investing in communities.
These positions have drawn criticism from law enforcement and others who argue that they have contributed to rising crime rates in the nation's capital. In November 2023, Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser declared a public emergency over youth violence, citing a 10% increase in arrests of juveniles for robbery, homicide, or assault with a dangerous weapon.
Kamala Harris's Funding of Anti-Police Nonprofit Sparks Controversy
Crime statistics from Washington's Metropolitan Police Department show a 30% year-to-date decline in homicides in the city. However, this decline follows a 20-year high in 2023, with 274 homicides citywide. Robberies increased nearly 70% in 2023 over 2022, and carjackings soared by over 80%.
In addition to its stance on policing, Legal Aid DC has also demanded that Washington's City Council commit to being a "sanctuary" for illegal immigrants. This has raised concerns among some who believe it will lead to increased crime and strain on police resources.
Kamala Harris's Funding of Anti-Police Nonprofit Sparks Controversy
Harris's support of Legal Aid DC is not the first instance of her aligning herself with far-left nonprofits. In 2020, she solicited donations for the Minnesota Freedom Fund, which posted bail for Black Lives Matter protesters arrested during anti-police rioting. However, the group also posted bond for people accused of violent crimes, including at least two who were arrested on homicide charges.
Harris's office has not yet responded to a request for comment on her donations to Legal Aid DC.
Kamala Harris's Funding of Anti-Police Nonprofit Sparks Controversy
