Rep. Mike Lawler Calls for Immediate Removal of DA Bragg by Gov. Hochul
The role of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg is to ensure the safety of New Yorkers. Sadly, he appears more inclined to go easy on criminals and undocumented migrants while reserving his most stringent prosecutions for Good Samaritans and politicians with differing views.
Throughout his tenure, Bragg has declined to prosecute offenses such as fare evasion and resisting arrest, frequently opting against pre-trial detention. Consequently, repeat offenders are repeatedly released, contributing to the highest rates of felony crimes in New York City in decades.
While dangerous individuals are let off the hook, Bragg has targeted people like Jose Alba, who acted in self-defense during an attack at the bodega where he worked; Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran recently acquitted for intervening against a violent career criminal; and, notably, former President Donald J. Trump, whom Bragg has pursued unrelentingly with questionable charges that were deemed flimsy by federal prosecutors in President Biden’s own Department of Justice, his predecessor Cy Vance, and leading legal experts.
What has Bragg accomplished? Fomenting racial and political strife in New York City.
What has he failed to achieve? Enhancing public safety.
Governor Hochul has been overseeing New York State throughout Alvin Bragg’s time in office, primarily watching silently as he has compromised our justice system and eroded public trust in his office and the rule of law.
As governor, she possesses the exclusive authority to remove Alvin Bragg from his position. Following the spectacle of Donald Trump’s trial and Daniel Penny’s acquittal — coupled with the legitimate concerns New Yorkers and visitors have about safety on the streets and subways of the world’s greatest city — it is undeniably clear that Alvin Bragg can no longer fulfill his role as District Attorney.
Governor Hochul must take decisive action and remove him from office immediately — Alvin Bragg is a failure and has mismanaged his responsibilities.
Anything short of his removal will demonstrate how unserious Governor Hochul is about addressing crime in New York City and restoring public confidence in our justice system.
Rep. Mike Lawler (R) represents New York’s 17th District.
