Joe Biden is on the hook for crime and police reform

After the civil turmoil of the late 1960s and early 1970s, Democrats were seen as anti-criminal and soft-hearted, charges that took decades to overcome. Now the party’s response to the murder of George Floyd has brought those allegations back to center. Calls to cut police funding could cost Democrats up to 12 House seats in 2020, and a recent poll found just 36% of Americans approve of President Biden’s handling of crime. .

In early February, Minnesota Representative Tom Emmer, the chairman of the House Republican campaigning committee, issued a stern challenge to Democrats. “If you’re not willing to stand up and speak out against the ‘shame the police’ movement in your party, then you own it,” he said.