Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers voted Tuesday to advance the articles of impeachment against Philadelphia’s top prosecutor, whom they blame for the city’s growing crime problem.
The vote to impeach Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner took place in the Pennsylvania House Judiciary Committee. A plenary vote is expected to send the matter to the state Senate on Wednesday.
The two impeachment proposals allege that Krasner’s leadership has been a direct cause of the rise in violent and property crime and that he obstructed the work of the House by failing to sufficiently comply with a subpoena from the legislative committee investigating him.
AT LEAST 9 INJURED IN MASS SHOOTING OUTSIDE PHILADELPHIA BAR: POLICE
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner addresses the South Street mass shooting at a press conference. Pennsylvania Republicans are trying to impeach Krasner, claiming he was responsible for the city’s spike in crime.
(FOX 29 Philadelphia)
Krasner has come under scrutiny over Philadelphia’s crime problems after being elected on a progressive platform that many Republicans in the state say allows criminals.
He easily won re-election last year. Fox News Digital has contacted Krasner’s office.
“His dereliction of duty and despicable behavior is unacceptable and cannot be tolerated,” said state Rep. Martina White, the resolution’s lead sponsor and the only Republican currently representing Philadelphia in the House.
“Who oversees the district attorney in Philadelphia? We do, we are the only body that can take action to indict the man for what he has done to our city,” White said before the committee vote.
In October, Krasner’s office issued a statement defending his record.
“Criminologists know what works to prevent crime. It is not love for the NRA, opposition to reasonable gun regulations or draconian sentencing,” the statement said. “It’s an investment in communities, fully funded public schools, mental health and addiction treatment resources, economic opportunity, trade schools and higher education opportunities, keeping parents in the community (not in jail) when they have committed non-violent and non-serious acts”. crime and modern police reform, among other things.
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If it passes the House, Speaker Bryan Cutler, a Republican, will have to name two Republicans and one Democrat to administer the Senate trial.
A two-thirds vote in the Senate is required to remove Krasner.
Associated Press contributed to this report.
