Lawless Leadership

Alvin Bragg's Lawless Leadership Democratic New York City Councilman Robert Holden took aim at Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s leadership—or perceived lack thereof—at a New York field hearing of the House Judiciary Committee on April 17. “I’m here to address the lawlessness that has taken over the city in recent years as a result of the failed progressive policies implemented by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg,” Holden testified before the committee. Noting that Bragg’s first year in office had been marked by a “dramatic shift” in the prosecution of crime, Holden asserted that the district attorney’s “soft on crime” policies suggested his top priority was not protecting law-abiding citizens but keeping criminals out of jail. “On his first day in office, Bragg issued a memo that decriminalized a broad range of offenses and reduced charges for violent crime,” the councilman said. “This was a signal for every criminal that it was open season on law-abiding citizens in New York County.” Bragg, as well as politicians in the city council and on the state level, are contributing to what he sees as a “pro-criminal element” in New York City, Holden said. “We’re going to have to change this,” the councilor told The Epoch Times in an interview following his testimony. “We’re going to get to a point where people are fed up in New York state and city—and they’re leaving. I know a lot of friends have left for areas other than New York City.” Holden called for a simple solution: start enforcing accountability. “That means if you commit a crime—you shoot a gun in New York City—you should go to jail,” Holden said. “Put the criminals in jail. Period.