The nationwide push by leftists to “defund” police departments following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis has been linked to a surge in crime across various Democratic-controlled communities over the past three years. Now, one elected official who previously seemed to endorse this anti-police message has become the victim of a daring crime outside his home in Washington, D.C.
Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar who was the victim of a carjacking tonight previously voted against an amendment to a spending bill which would have taken out language that made it easier to defund police. Democrats unleashed this crime wave. pic.twitter.com/8LurOKuqIR
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 3, 2023
Reports indicate that U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was confronted by three carjackers and robbed at gunpoint on Monday night, even in the midst of the stringent gun control laws in the nation’s capital. Thankfully, a statement from the congressman’s office confirmed that he was unharmed during the incident and is cooperating with local law enforcement.
The statement also expressed gratitude for the swift response of the police, who were able to recover Cuellar’s stolen vehicle shortly thereafter.
Although Cuellar distanced himself from the defund-the-police movement ahead of last year’s election due to declining public support, in the previous year, he did not publicly disavow the idea of abolishing police departments. Furthermore, he voted against a spending bill amendment aimed at making it harder to defund law enforcement agencies.
Torunn Sinclair, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee, criticized the Texas Democrat’s stance in 2021, alleging that he “won’t condemn” the movement “because he can’t afford to lose their support.”
In the same year, Cuellar expressed support for a bill named after George Floyd that sought to restrict police from using various tools designed to enhance their safety and that of the communities they serve.
In his initial comments on the incident, Cuellar sought to clarify his position, emphasizing his longstanding support for law enforcement.
“I have three brothers who are peace officers,” Cuellar stated. “I do want to thank the Capitol Police, and I certainly want to thank the Metro Police. I’m a big law enforcement person. I have three boys in law enforcement. So, I certainly appreciate the good work that the police did.”
Another member of Congress, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA), was a victim of carjacking about two years ago, although the incident occurred in her home state.
