Ashley Moody calls defunding police ‘irresponsible’, offers insights on White House roundtable

MOODY GRID 2
The conversation centered on data gathering and restoring public confidence.

Attorney General Ashley Moody appeared on Fox News early Tuesday offering details on the conversation she and other law enforcement officials had Monday with President Donald Trump.

“We talked a lot about data and making sure we had a full picture of what was going on around the nation so that we could steer the ship and the right direction,” Moody said. “We want to understand how we can cure any perception that there is not equal justice for all.”

Moody also said the she and President Trump dismissed the idea of defunding police agencies.

“We cannot have so called leaders coming out and saying they want to defund the police,” she said. “That is short sighted, and it is irresponsible.”

In particular, Moody criticized the democratic Minneapolis City Council President Lisa Bender’s comments.

Bender, who appeared Monday on Fox News, called for the dismantlement of her city’s police department and described the ability to call law enforcement in the event of a break-in as a “privilege.”

“That comes from a place of privilege, Bender told Fox News’ Laura Ingraham. “Because for those of us for whom the system is working, I think we need to step back and imagine what it would feel like to already live in the reality where calling the police may mean more harm is done.”

Moody, a Republican, shook her head at the comment.

“It’s scary that people like that have a vote in major American cities,” Moody said. “Victims of crimes need law enforcement that are willing to step in in the middle of the night.”

Moody and roughly a dozen other law enforcement officials joined President Trump, Vice President Mike Pence and U.S. Attorney General William Barr on Monday for a roundtable listening session on the state of policing in America.

Trump, in his opening remarks, made it abundantly clear that defunding the police was not an option.

“We won’t be defunding our police, we won’t be dismantling our police, we won’t be disbanding our police, we won’t be ending our police force,” Trump said. “I guess you have some cities that want to try, but it’s going to be a very sad situation if they did because people aren’t going to be protected.”

In a statement, Moody applauded the President after the meeting.

“I am thankful that President Donald J. Trump included Florida in this extremely important conversation about law enforcement at the White House today,” Moody said. “As the wife of an officer, I have seen firsthand what these men and women do for our communities, and while our nation continues to seek improvements in policing, we need to make sure any changes are thoughtful and effective.”

Jason Delgado

Jason Delgado covers news out of the Florida State Capitol. After a go with the U.S. Army, the Orlando-native attended the University of Central Florida and earned a degree in American Policy and National Security. His past bylines include WMFE-NPR and POLITICO Florida. He'd love to hear from you. You can reach Jason by email ([email protected]) or on Twitter at @byJasonDelgado.


3 comments

  • PeterH

    June 10, 2020 at 7:45 am

    Defunding the police departments is meant to break up the police unions. The unions that protect bad cops!

    Defund the police department.
    Fire the entire police force.
    Rehire non-union qualified and quality officers.

    Commence with Obama’s recommendations for proper policing behavior.

    That’s how it’s done. Make it work in every community. America is DONE with business as usual. Open to alternative plans but influential Fraternal Orders of Police and the unions they control need immediate surgery!

    • It's a start.

      June 10, 2020 at 8:34 am

      Great. Let’s do that for teachers as well. And Congress. And the entire federal workforce.

      • PeterH

        June 10, 2020 at 12:52 pm

        …..and I’m thrilled to report today ….that police department of Minneapolis and legislatives NYC have decided to break up the police union’s stranglehold on bad cops transparency. Eventually we’ll get rid of the bubbas and be left with competence. Making a ‘big deal’ about a few hyper defunding proponents is Republican propaganda meant to be a distraction from the Trump Administration’s blatant racist policies.

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