Sen. John Kennedy Critiques Trump’s Opponents and Local Government in D.C.
On Tuesday, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy did not hold back during his appearance on Fox News, targeting President Trump’s critics and discussing the administration’s plans to enhance federal law enforcement in Washington, D.C., in response to rising crime rates.
Recently, Trump declared a public safety emergency in the nation’s capital and called in the National Guard for support. On “Jesse Watters Primetime,” Kennedy expressed that the president’s actions, rather than receiving gratitude, had angered what he referred to as the “Tofu Mob,” a group he described humorously as those who carry NPR tote bags and enjoy organic produce.
“You see celebrities mingling with individuals like Harvey Weinstein, and the tofu mob fussing over their tote bags and organic broccoli. Plus, we have Democratic allies who seem to be in a state of panic instead of simply acknowledging the president’s good intentions,” Kennedy remarked. He accused his political opponents of undermining democracy instead of appreciating Trump’s initiative.
Kennedy acknowledged that while 30 days of federal assistance might not fully solve D.C.’s public safety issues, it’s a positive starting point. He emphasized that local leadership, not the federal response, was largely to blame.
“I’m observing local governments that are mismanaged, allowing crime to flourish. A local government that decided to cut police budgets by 15% a few years back, and seems to think that the police are more problematic than the criminals,” Kennedy explained.
In contrast, some Democratic officials and various media outlets have been trying to refute Trump’s claims regarding crime rates in Washington. For instance, statistics reported from the Metropolitan Police Department indicated a 35% decrease in violent crime in 2024, though it’s worth noting that this measure excludes certain serious offenses.
A tragic gang-related incident in June resulted in the death of a 21-year-old council intern, further emphasizing public safety concerns. D.C. lawyer Janine Piro remarked on the challenges of prosecuting violent crimes in the district, mentioning that a young offender received only probation after a shooting.
