On the menu today: On paper, Biden’s decision to stand with Republicans and overrule the District of Columbia city council’s overhaul of its criminal code may turn out to be something much bigger than a local controversy. First, Biden managed to reach his decision after 81 percent of House Democrats had voted to keep the District’s criminal-code overhaul in place, and now, some of those House Democrats are seething and spitting hot fire over Biden’s unexpected stance. Secondly, Biden is telling progressives that the entire narrative on crime hasn’t changed, that “restorative justice” is a loser, and that ordinary voters are genuinely scared about rising crime rates and voting accordingly.
‘Amateur Hour. Heads Should Roll Over This’
How big a deal is it that President Biden is siding with House and Senate Republicans in overruling the District of Columbia city council’s overhaul of its criminal code? My initial thought when the news broke yesterday was that this was largely a local story that would quickly be overtaken by other events. But now I’m not so sure; the issue of crime and how to respond to it is exposing a deep fissure right down the ...
Episode 20: Major Questions
