OPINION: Kaleem Shabazz – Federal Troops ‘Undermine’ Local Law Enforcement Efforts
Kaleem Shabazz. Photo courtesy City of Atlantic City.
OPINION
BY KALEEM SHABAZZ | Vice President, City Council, Atlantic City
ATLANTIC CITY – I am writing this letter in a state of mild amazement and deep concern over the recent actions of President Trump in deploying federal troops to Washington, D.C. and effectively taking over the police functions of our nation’s capital.
The rationale given by the President is that there is an uncontrollable crime wave in the city. However, all reliable data soundly rebukes that argument.
What is even more astonishing is that this is the same President who pardoned thousands of individuals involved in the violent January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol — rioters who damaged property, injured and maimed officers, and whose actions resulted in the death of law enforcement personnel.
These individuals were arrested, tried, convicted, and sentenced, only to later be pardoned by the President who now claims to be deeply concerned crime in Washington, D.C.
Of course, we all share a vested interest in public safety and addressing crime. However, I fail to see how imposing soldiers into a domestic situation — without the consent, consultation or even the knowledge of public officials — enhances public safety.
On the contrary, this type of federal overreach undermines trust and erodes the foundational principles of local governance.
As an elected official, I am committed to upholding public safety and supporting law enforcement as they work to combat crime. However, that commitment does not — and should never — require violating constitutional rights, overstepping federal authority, or trampling the authority of local and state governments.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Kaleem Shabazz is also longtime president of the Atlantic County NAACP. His opinion of that of his office of the city councilman of Atlantic City.
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