Republicans go on attack over calls to 'defund the police'
he calls by some activists and Democrats to "defund" police departments are entering the 2020 campaign trail, with Republicans using the issue to go on the offense.
Trump campaign communications director Tim Murtaugh tied former Vice President Joe Biden to the issue, accusing Biden of “endorsing” cuts to law enforcement.
“As the protesters like to say, silence is agreement,” Murtaugh said. “By his silence Joe Biden is endorsing defunding the police.”
But Biden spokesman Andrew Bates said Biden did not believe in defunding the police, though he believes in reforms.
"He hears and shares the deep grief and frustration of those calling out for change, and is driven to ensure that justice is done and that we put a stop to this terrible pain," Bates said in a statement Monday.
"Biden supports the urgent need for reform — including funding for public schools, summer programs, and mental health and substance abuse treatment separate from funding for policing — so that officers can focus on the job of policing," he added.
The issue is also impacting Senate and House races as well. Republican Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst called on her Democratic opponent Theresa Greenfield to “denounce defunding police” in a statement Monday.
The term “defund the police” essentially calls to take funding away from police departments. The current push puts a specific emphasis on reallocating funds that would normally go to police departments to social programs.
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/501709-the-hills-campaign-report-calls-to-defund-police-enter-2020-campaign
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