“Attorney General challenges DOJ grant supporting Soros-linked group’s leniency.”
Missouri’s Attorney General, Andrew Bailey, has raised concerns regarding a Justice Department grant that backs an organization associated with George Soros. According to Bailey, this group supposedly provides training to prosecutors, advocating for a lenient approach to handling criminal cases, a perspective Bailey believes undermines public safety. He specifically cited an incident involving Kim Gardner, a St. Louis Circuit Attorney, where a repeat offender was released on bail and subsequently involved in a severe accident. Bailey perceives this case as an example of leniency leading to dire consequences and criticizes the DOJ for funding entities like the Vera Institute, which he accuses of aligning with Soros and, in his view, negatively impacting law enforcement efforts.
Bailey’s primary contention is the alleged influence of the Vera Institute on prosecutors, contending that they prioritize reducing prosecution rates over convicting violent criminals. He has urged members of Congress, irrespective of party affiliation, to look into these programs, which he believes could result in the obstruction of justice by encouraging prosecutors to avoid bringing criminals to trial. He views this lenient approach as counterproductive and detrimental to public safety, advocating for an investigation and possible elimination of funding for these initiatives.
The Attorney General’s concern extends beyond Missouri, portraying the issue as part of a broader nationwide problem. He perceives the DOJ’s collaboration with entities like the Vera Institute as detrimental, accusing them of contributing to what he describes as turning streets into conflict zones. Bailey’s main contention is the apparent emphasis on reducing prosecution rates rather than convicting violent offenders, a trend he perceives as a deviation from standard law enforcement practices.
Ultimately, Bailey aims to bring attention to what he sees as a threat to the rule of law. He seeks to highlight instances where, in his opinion, leniency in criminal prosecution, especially in cases involving violent offenders, poses risks to public safety. Bailey’s letters to Congress seek further investigation into these programs and potential actions to curtail funding for initiatives that he believes undermine the principles of law enforcement.
