Thread: DOJ praises Trump’s choice not to endorse prison reform bill

“We’re pleased the president agreed that we shouldn’t support criminal justice reform that would reduce sentences, put drug traffickers back on our streets, and undermine our law enforcement officers,” a Justice Department spokeswoman said. | J. David Ake/AP Photo

DOJ praises Trump’s choice not to endorse prison reform bill


By REBECCA MORIN
08/23/2018 07:05 PM EDT

The Justice Department on Thursday praised President Donald Trump’s decision not to back a prison and sentencing reform bill that was crafted by top Republican leaders and Jared Kushner, his son-in-law and senior adviser.

“We’re pleased the president agreed that we shouldn’t support criminal justice reform that would reduce sentences, put drug traffickers back on our streets, and undermine our law enforcement officers who are working night and day to reduce violent crime and drug trafficking in the middle of an opioid crisis,” Justice Department spokeswoman Sarah Isgur Flores said in a statement.

Trump met with Kushner, who has made prison reform a priority; Attorney General Jeff Sessions and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley at the White House on Thursday to discuss the bill. The president declined to endorse the bill, citing the midterm elections, Axios reported.

The bill drew backlash from Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who called the proposal a “jailbreak” that would “let serious felons back on the streets.” Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) on Thursday said that construcive conversations are currently being had with White House about the legislation, "but nothing is final yet."

"With Republicans in the majority, any agreement must be endorsed by the President and include a commitment from Republican leaders to move it through Congress and get it to the President’s desk,” Durbin said.

Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) said on Wednesdaythat the Senate wouldn’t take up any new package of prison and sentencing reforms before the midterms.

https://www.politico.com/story/2018/...artment-794871

Originally Posted by MW

The president declined to endorse the bill, citing the midterm elections, Axios reported.

I see this term or something similar used often by many of our elected politicians. I don't understand a reason for this type statement at all. Why not say we did this, or we didn't do this because it was the right thing to do for the country?

Because not all voters who vote want to do the right thing for our country, and Trump wants to win the mid-terms for Republicans to grow our seats in Congress so we can do more right things for our country.

Originally Posted by stoptheinvaders

I see this term or something similar used often by many of our elected politicians. I don't understand a reason for this type statement at all. Why not say we did this, or we didn't do this because it was the right thing to do for the country?

IMO, they do this when they aren't sure which way the political winds are blowing. It's just an attempt at steering clear of an issue considered controversial.