There might be no local debate that’s divided Democrats quite like the proposed Atlanta public safety center, which has pitted some of the region’s top elected officials against more liberal activists upset over the city’s criminal justice and environmental policy.
And those strains were on display as U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock tried to walk a delicate path when asked at an Axios News Shapers event Wednesday when asked whether he’s concerned the complex could “further militarize the police.”
“I think the choice between public safety and justice is a false choice, and not one that we have to make,” said Warnock. “I support law enforcement, I support the right of people to have their voices heard in this conversation. I’m going to do everything I can as a U.S. senator representing the people of Georgia to make sure the people are safe.”
Warnock and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff have each raised concerns about the arrest of three people charged with financial crimes linked to the protests against the training complex. They’ve also condemned violent demonstrations and called for peaceful protests without taking explicit sides.
Credit: Steve Schaefer/AJC
Credit: Steve Schaefer/AJC
That mirrors the stance of other prominent Democrats, including U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams, D-Atlanta, who has said she doesn’t “buy the whole notion that you have to choose one or the other – between standing up for our law enforcement and standing with protesters.”
But the approach has peeved some activists opposing the $90 million center, who say they fought to elect the U.S. Senate duo in part because of their progressive stances on criminal justice policy.
Openly opposing the center, of course, would also mean opposing Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens and his allies who have championed the project — and risking being painted by Republicans as weak on public safety.
Warnock, meanwhile, was pressed by Axios reporter Alexi McCammond more broadly on whether he thinks police should be demilitarized. He affirmed — and then elaborated.
“I think we need a comprehensive approach to public safety. Training is certainly a part of that. If our approach is comprehensive, police have to be trained somehow, somewhere. At the same time, we need a comprehensive approach, which means investments in mental health, investments in schools, investments in jobs and opportunities. We can do all of these things.”
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Credit: Oliver Contreras/The New York Times
Credit: Oliver Contreras/The New York Times
MORE WARNOCK. The Atlanta Democrat had more to say at the Axios event:
On Trump’s indictment: “No one is above the law. We’ll watch this play out. He shouldn’t be treated any worse or any better than anyone else.”
On Biden’s age: “Listen, all of these things will be discussed as they are in a democracy. But I’ve spent a little time with Joe Biden, and he’s doing just fine, and I think will go down as certainly one of the most effective presidents we’ve seen, certainly in my lifetime.”
On legal challenges to Georgia’s political maps: “I’ll let pundits do what pundits do. But racial and partisan gerrymandering is real in our country. We’ve seen it play out time and time again. It’s not a problem for Democrats or a problem for Republicans. It’s a problem for our democracy.”
On polarization: “When you look at the extremism that you’re seeing played out in the House, for example, right now, that’s the result of gerrymandering. And it certainly doesn’t encourage the kind of bipartisan negotiation that’s been key to the work that I’ve been doing in the Congress.”
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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
ELECTION DENIERS. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger’s office had sharp words for the hard-line activists who support former President Donald Trump’s election fraud lies and who won Georgia GOP party leadership posts at last weekend’s convention.
Raffensperger spokesman Mike Hassinger said that GOP primary voters last year “rejected claims the election was stolen” and supported the Republican’s quest for a second term.
“If they want to be relevant in Georgia, it’s time for the party to move forward, stop attacking the referees, and focus their efforts on the next game,” Hassinger said.
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Credit: Christina Matacotta for the AJC
Credit: Christina Matacotta for the AJC
ELECTION AFTERMATH. A federal judge released two confidential reports that seem likely to fuel the debate over whether Georgia should replace the $138 million electronic voting system.
One reported detailed vulnerabilities that could allow a hacker to change votes, our AJC colleague David Wickert reports. The other determined the risk of someone committing those crimes is remote.
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STOCK TRADES. A progressive watchdog organization that has pushed for more stringent campaign finance rules is calling for a federal probe of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s financial reports.
End Citizens United filed a complaint today alleging that financial disclosures submitted by the Rome Republican have inaccurate information about her stock trading.
It also contends that she did not file paperwork that is required within 45 days of her buying or selling shares.
“By failing to properly disclose her stock trades, Marjorie Taylor Greene left her constituents in the dark about where her true interests lie while serving in Congress,” ECU President Tiffany Muller said in a news release of the group’s complaint, the second it has filed against Greene.
An ethics investigation would not be made public unless the Office of Congressional Ethics finds possible violations may have occurred and refers the case to the House Ethics Committee for further action. Her office didn’t immediately comment.
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Credit: Alyssa Pointer/AJC
Credit: Alyssa Pointer/AJC
ABORTION ACCESS. Four Georgia Democrats were among the 49 lawmakers who attended the opening day of a White House summit hosted on preserving abortion rights.
House Minority Leader James Beverly invited three colleagues to join him on the trip: state Reps. Park Cannon, Ruwa Romman and Kim Schofield. Schofield said the anti-abortion measures have prompted a healthcare crisis in Georgia.
“As Democrats, we need to continue to strengthen our message and own our narrative,” she said. “Let’s call it what it is, and it is an attack on democracy. It is an attack on people’s rights, their personal bodily autonomy.”
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TODAY IN WASHINGTON:
- The U.S. House has a vote scheduled on legislation championed by conservatives that would allow the judicial system to override decisions made by federal agencies.
- The Senate has more confirmation votes scheduled.
- President Joe Biden will meet with executives from LiveNation, Airbnb and other companies to discuss his efforts to protect consumers from hidden fees.
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Credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/The New York Times
Credit: T.J. Kirkpatrick/The New York Times
ABRAHAM ACCORDS. Why did a Georgia Republican join with a handful of liberal Democrats to vote against legislation to create a new special envoy dedicated to Israel’s ongoing normalization with Arab states?
U.S. Rep. Rich McCormick raised eyebrows when he joined a dozen other lawmakers to vote “no” on the proposal, which is designed to further the landmark Abraham Accords. He’s one of only two GOP members to oppose it.
The Suwanee Republican told us that although he backs the foreign policy agreement, he sees the new position as an added layer of bureaucracy that shifts more power to the Biden administration.
With the current U.S. ambassador to Israel set to soon leave his post, McCormick said, “we should ensure that his successor protects our friendship with Israel and peace in the Middle East before we hire yet another federal employee.”
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SUMMER HOURS. Just a reminder that your Insiders are moving The Jolt to summer hours. That means you can grab a few more minutes of sleep before looking for your daily dose of Georgia politics, which will publish a bit later in the mornings for the time being. Happy summer, Jolt nation!
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AS ALWAYS, Jolt readers are some of our favorite tipsters. Send your best scoop, gossip and insider info to patricia.murphy@ajc.com, tia.mitchell@ajc.com and greg.bluestein@ajc.com.
