U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) on Wednesday condemned the “devastating” shooting over the weekend in Birmingham that claimed the lives of four people while criticizing the Democratic policies that have led to a deterioration of law enforcement across the United States.
After Saturday's deadly shooting in Birmingham’s Five Points South, city, state and federal lawmakers have tried to invoke solutions to the crime problem that has affected Birmingham and other metro areas in Alabama.
Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin was swift to denounce the shooting and call for stricter gun laws and regulations, which he continues to do on social media.
Woodfin’s statements since the shooting have already put him at odds with state lawmakers, including Democrats in his district.
Democrats in the area have expressed support for state-led intervention in Birmingham, like programs that have already shown success in Montgomery. Others have also supported proposed legislation by State Rep. Reed Ingram (R-Pike Road) that would allow the governor or attorney general to appoint an interim police chief in municipalities where crime has gone out of control.
On Tuesday, Woodfin posted to social media, criticizing the suggestion of state intervention with crime in his city, inexplicably using the opportunity to drag former President Donald Trump into the conversation.
On Wednesday, Tuberville told reporters that the increased violence across the country has “become the norm” in the wake of the Democratic talking point of “defund the police.” He also seemed to make a vague reference to Woodfin’s Trump dig.
“We need to fund the police,” Tuberville said. “But it’s not just about money, it’s about people. This needs to be one of our number-one priorities. Folks, we are spending billions of dollars on illegal immigrants when we can’t recruit people to be in law enforcement simply for the fact that they make less, sometimes, than welfare wages. Absolutely embarrassing.”
“We need to stop criticizing people like President Trump, who is out there every day saying, ‘fund the police,’" he continued." As far as the political conversation goes, we need to empower law enforcement to keep all Alabamians safe. It’s not that hard. It’s common sense.”
Regarding the sniping over various solutions, Tuberville said he is more interested in seeing solutions to growing crime rather than grandstanding over social issues.
“My understanding [is] this could possibly have been gang-related, but it doesn’t make any difference; a shooting is a shooting,” he continued. “Don’t give me this about guns. Let’s talk about people making a living with guns. People that are involved in possible things that they shouldn’t be in terms of drugs. Now, we have an influx of illegals on our streets that are sleeping on our streets. We have leadership in Birmingham. We have leadership in the state. We have state legislators that want to get something done. Let’s get something done. Let’s don’t wait until something happens.”
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
