Dem Rep Calls For Crackdown After Assault: “If you throw somebody in jail for ten days and we’re going to let you right back out on the street what the hell do you think’s going to happen?”

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN) is calling for a crackdown on crime after she was assaulted in her D.C. apartment last week. Craig went on CNN and CBS to warn her Dem colleagues about crime.

During her interview with CBS, Craig said, “If you throw somebody in jail for ten days and think, there’s your punishment and we’re going to let you right back out on the street, what the hell do you think’s going to happen?

“I got attacked by someone who the District of Columbia has not prosecuted fully over the course of almost a decade, over the course of 12 assaults before mine that morning. I think we have to think about how in the world we can make sure that we’re not just letting criminals out.

“I mean, it wasn’t even in every instance that he got 10 days or 30 days. Many times, the charges were completely dropped before any justice was achieved at all.

Judge ordered Kendrid Hamlin held in jail pending Wednesday hearing in case of attack against Rep Angie Craig (D-MN)

Hamlin has had 25 bench warrants, string of assault cases & 2019 lewd act case

He’s now accused of trapping, punching, attempting to enter apartment of Rep Craig pic.twitter.com/hxEfejPe2j

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) February 14, 2023

“We have to get these repeat offenders off the streets.

“We also have got to figure out how we get people the mental health and addiction help that they need because these people are getting back out and just recommitting the same crimes over and over and over again.”

While talking to CNN, Craig said, “It really is just unbelievable that I was the 13th assault, and the reason we’re having a conversation here today and probably the reason that he could be held is because I’m a member of Congress and this is being adjudicated in federal court this time, unlike the other twelve instances. 

“What do I want to see happen? 

“I want Americans, and especially women, to feel safe in their communities. 

“And to me, that means we have got to focus our effort on public safety, making sure the people who shouldn’t be released aren’t. 

“But, at the same time, I sit here and I think to myself, how did this happen twelve times in America with addiction, with homelessness, with mental health issues and this individual served ten days, 30 days?

“That’s no time to be able to get the help that this individual needs either. 

“So, if I can stop there from being a 14th or a 15th or a 20th assault, I’m going to do that. 

“But at the same time, it really does emphasize the intersection of all of these issues we’re facing as a country.”

“I was assault no. 13 on his record, and I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure there is not a 14”: @RepAngieCraig says she fought off a man in her D.C. apartment building — and is now calling for changes to prevent known criminals from targeting new victims. pic.twitter.com/iumGJiQ1I9

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) February 14, 2023

Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), who was attacked last week in the elevator of her Washington, DC, apartment building, joins CNN’s @ErinBurnett to share details about the assault. Watch: https://t.co/eWZZmK12th

— CNN (@CNN) February 15, 2023