Making our Cities Safe Again
Here in Washington, we are seeing much-needed action in the fight against crime. Thanks to the foresight of President Trump and his hard stance against crime, we have seen:
- Violent crime decrease by 45%
- Carjackings decrease by 81%
- Homicides decrease by nearly 60%
- Overall crime decrease by 15%
81% of Americans view crime in large cities as a problem, and these results prove that restoring law and order in American cities is achievable under the right leadership. Violent crime should never be normalized, and I commend President Trump for taking action to protect D.C. and it’s residents.
Seeking Justice for Iryna Zarutska
On August 22nd, a Ukrainian refugee who came to our country seeking safety was brutally murdered by a career criminal who should have been behind bars. The revolving door justice system failed Iryna Zarutska – we must reaffirm our commitment to law and order to ensure our nation is safe for all who reside here.
In response to this heinous crime, my North Carolina colleagues and I called for the removal of Magistrate Teresa Stokes who authorized the release of Zarutska’s murderer because he “promised” to appear for a future court date. This man’s 14 prior arrests were ignored, and he was freed by Teresa Stokes without bail. Because of her ignorance, a woman lost her life at the hands of a man who should never have been on the metro to begin with.
This reckless decision had devastating consequences, and I will continue to push for Teresa Stokes’ removal and a thorough review of her prior bond determinations to assess the full extent of her misconduct.
Voting YES to Secure our Borders
After years of open-door policies, America is once again prioritizing the safety and well-being of our citizens, and a secure, prosperous homeland begins with strong, well-managed borders.
This week, I voted in support of the Stop Illegal Entry Act to enhance our national security. This bill takes long-overdue action to address illegal border crossings and reduce the risk of crime that illegal immigration can bring to our communities.
The Stop Illegal Entry Act:
- Establishes tougher criminal penalties for non-U.S. citizens who illegally enter our country and then commit a felony, or who illegally re-enter after being removed,
- Creates a mandatory minimum 5-year prison sentence for repeat offenders, and
- Increases penalties for individuals who have tried to re-enter the United States multiple times.
This legislation is another step towards putting the safety and well-being of American citizens first.
Condemning the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
On September 10, Charlie Kirk was brutally murdered while speaking with students at Utah Valley University. While the motive of the shooter is unknown, one thing is clear: violence of this kind is abhorrent, despicable, and should never take place in our great nation.
Charlie Kirk was more than an influential political activist. He was a convicted man of Christ who deeply loved his wife and children. Please join me in praying for his loved ones as they grieve this senseless loss. May he rest in peace.
Under the Biden Administration’s open-border policies, our nation experienced a surge in illegal immigration, with millions crossing into the United States unlawfully. This influx placed tremendous strain on our border security, local communities, and law enforcement agencies.
I traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically to the Nogales Port of Entry, where I met with U.S. Border Patrol agents, local business owners, trade officials, and immigration leaders. These discussions revealed the complex challenges faced on the ground, from securing the border and disrupting drug trafficking networks to managing legal immigration efficiently and humanely.
I am dedicated to advancing practical, common-sense solutions to the most urgent challenges facing our country, including the critical need to strengthen our Southern Border and combat the dangerous activities of drug cartels that exploit these vulnerabilities.
