Portland Takes a Stand Against Pro-Crime DA Mike Schmidt — NYC Should too
Portland, Ore., known for its progressive attitudes, recently removed its lenient and anti-police district attorney: Manhattan, take note.
On Wednesday, Multnomah County DA Mike Schmidt was defeated by one of his deputies, Nathan Vasquez, who campaigned on a return to a more sensible approach to justice.
Schmidt, aligned with the ideologies of George Soros and other soft-on-crime groups, assumed office in August 2020 during the height of the George Floyd protests and announced that most riot-related offenses would not be prosecuted.
Later that year, he supported a measure that essentially decriminalized drug use.
This marked the beginning of a disastrous four years for Portland, with record-high homicides in 2022, a state of emergency declared due to fentanyl-related deaths, and a mass exodus of police officers, many of whom cited Schmidt as a primary reason for leaving.
With 22,000 residents leaving Portland since 2020, it’s clear that the citizens have had enough.
Vasquez, a centrist and former Republican, won the election by promising to crackdown on public drug use and dealing, rebuild trust with law enforcement, and focus on the core responsibility of the DA’s office — prosecuting crimes.
This recall follows San Francisco’s decision to recall DA Chesa Boudin in 2022, another progressive prosecutor who faced backlash for leniency.
If change can happen in cities like Portland and San Francisco, it can also happen in New York City.
Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, known for his lenient policies, will be up for reelection next year.
Replacing him may be challenging, as the Portland and San Francisco votes were nonpartisan, while New York City is predominantly Democratic. Bragg can only be replaced in the Democratic primary or a general election.
However, the recent outcomes in liberal cities show that prosecutors who do not uphold the law can indeed be removed.
With determination, Manhattan has the power to make a change and hold Bragg accountable.
