DNC Speaker Says Migrant Crime, Carjackings Not Top American Concerns

At the Democratic National Committee's summer meeting in Minneapolis, Insha Rahman, vice president of advocacy and partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice, urged Democrats not to focus on migrant crime or carjackings, stating these issues "don’t matter to that many Americans." She characterized President Donald Trump's tough-on-crime approach as a political strategy rather than a genuine public safety solution, advising Democrats to prioritize concerns like mental health, homelessness, and criminal justice reform, which her institute's polling indicated rank higher among voters. Rahman cautioned against falling for Republican "tough on crime scare tactics" and encouraged promoting policies aimed at addressing root causes rather than sensationalized crimes. The Vera Institute, with financial ties to billionaire George Soros, has a history of advocating for criminal justice reform and has previously supported efforts to defund the police. These remarks sparked backlash from critics who argue that dismissing violent crimes like carjackings shows Democrats are out of touch with public safety concerns. Meanwhile, progressive figures like Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee highlighted sanctuary city policies, emphasizing support for immigrant communities and non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.