Krajewski responds to unconstitutional attacks on Phila. DA Larry Krasner
This is political theatrics being driven by Republicans during an election year, who have demonstrated time and again that they are comfortable undermining democracy and the will of voters.
Rep. Rick Krajewski September 15, 2022 | 3:08 PM
HARRISBURG, Sept. 15 – State Rep. Rick Krajewski, D-Phila., today issued the following statement in response to the House Republican majority’s efforts to impeach and undermine Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, most recently holding Krasner in contempt for failing to comply with a subpoena.
“The Republican Party’s recent attacks against Larry Krasner are just another attempt to disenfranchise Black and brown voters and further a racist narrative on criminal justice,” Krajewski said. “I stand in support of District Attorney Larry Krasner and condemn these attacks against his office.
“The Republican Party launched an impeachment process against Krasner simply because they don’t like his policies. The recent subpoena inquiry is illegal and is being properly challenged in court. By requesting that the DA provide grand jury testimony to the House Select Committee – notably, grand jury testimony about a police prosecution – the committee is asking DA Krasner to break the law. Until the Commonwealth court rules, Krasner and the Philly DAO don’t have to produce anything before the state legislature.
“Republicans who live hundreds of miles away of Philadelphia have identified no grounds under which they can impeach Krasner. They cite ‘rising crime’ in Philadelphia while ignoring crime in other counties. They don’t experience the violence our communities confront on a daily basis. Or the pain, grief, and cycles of trauma that result from the violence. This is not about crime – if it was, the Republicans would be impeaching other district attorneys throughout the state.
“This is political theatrics being driven by Republicans during an election year, who have demonstrated time and again that they are comfortable undermining democracy and the will of voters. If this were about keeping our communities safe, they would be passing new laws to get guns out of young people’s hands and investing in the community resources and infrastructure that are proven to reduce gun violence – parks, recreation centers, schools, homes, a living wage, and affordable healthcare.
“District Attorney Krasner was duly elected – twice – by a wide margin of Philadelphia voters. Removing Krasner from office would nullify the tens of thousands of votes by primarily Black and brown voters that supported him. This is undemocratic, unconstitutional, and outright racist.”