Democrats have been tied to the slogan “defund the police” during the 2020 campaigns. However, according to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the popular slogan is not the official stance of the party.
Speaking on ABC’s “This Week,” Pelosi reiterated that the popular slogan is not the stance of the Democratic Party. The slogan emerged following the murder of George Floyd in 2020, leading to widespread Black Lives Matter protests calling for an end to police brutality. Pelosi told host George Stephanopoulos that while the concept of defunding the police is not the party’s position, Democrats prioritize public safety and seeking criminal justice reforms.
“Make no mistake, community safety is our responsibility,” said Pelosi. “I quote one of my colleagues from New York, Ritchie Torres, brand new member of Congress, way on the left, saying that defund the police is dead. That causes a concern with a few in our caucus.”
Pelosi also pushed back on the comments made by Progressive Rep. Cori Bush, who said she will continue using the slogan. Bush also dismissed criticism from fellow Democratic lawmakers, saying that the slogan was the cause of losses of the party in the House in 2020.
“Well, with all respect in the world for Cori Bush, that is not the position of the Democratic Party. Community safety to protect and defend in every way, is our oath of office,” said Pelosi, who cited that California Congresswoman Karen Bass drafted the Justice and Policing Act in order to address the issues.
In other related news, Pelosi will be traveling to Israel Tuesday this week, leading a delegation that includes seven more Democratic lawmakers, Reps. Adam Schiff, Andy Kim, Ro Khanna, Eric Swalwell, Bill Keating, Barbara Lee, and Ted Deutch. They will be received with an official ceremony at the Knesset and observe the deliberations in the plenum Wednesday.
Pelosi’s last visit was in 2018, where she also led a delegation of Democratic lawmakers ahead of the country’s 70th Independence Day. The visit also included a trip to Jordan.
Back in October, Pelosi told Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid that Israel has always received bipartisan support in the US.