Vice President Kamala Harris Faces Political Fallout Over ‘Defund The Police’ Stance

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Vice President Kamala Harris Faces Political Fallout Over ‘Defund The Police’ Stance

Vice President Kamala Harris Vice President Kamala Harris is confronting continued political challenges linked to her previous support for the 'De

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Vice President Kamala Harris
Vice President Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris is confronting continued political challenges linked to her previous support for the ‘Defund the Police’ movement, a stance that has stirred ongoing debate and criticism as she navigates her role in the current administration.

During her tenure as a senator, Harris expressed sympathy towards the ‘Defund the Police’ movement, particularly in the wake of nationwide protests against police brutality and riots in 2020.

Her remarks and supportive statements during that period have resurfaced, causing friction as she attempts to position herself within the administration’s broader law enforcement policies.

Read: Harris Campaign Taps Eric Holder To Lead Vetting Of VP Candidates

In June 2020, immediately after Minneapolis resident George Floyd died in police custody, then-Democratic Sen. Kamala Harris urged people to bail out the rioters.

“If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” Harris, a Democratic presidential contender, tweeted at the time about a nonprofit group that was working to free the vandals.

“You are funding domestic terrorism.” conservative activist Mike Cernvich tweeted back at Harris at the time.

Turns out it was something worse. A frequent felon freed by the Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF) was charged with murder.

It’s now the second time such a thing has happened.

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Shawn Michael Tillman, who had been bailed out by the MFF, was charged with fatally shooting a passenger on a commuter rail platform in St. Paul.

Tillman’s criminal record includes at least seven counts of indecent exposure, including one involving a minor that resulted in his conviction in November 2018. He also has rung up charges of assault and illegal possession of a gun.

Murder Suspect Shawn Michael Tillman and Vice President Kamala Harris
Shawn Michael Tillman received life in prison for murder after being bailed out by MFFVice President Kamala Harris.

Tillman was bailed out on April 29 after being arrested on an indecent exposure allegation. He reportedly shot the St. Paul murder victim six times on May 20, killing him. Tillman supposedly had a “beef” with the victim.

Tillman is at least the second person bailed out by the group Harris championed who has been charged with murder.

In the Tillman case, MFF representatives defended the decision to bail him out to the local media, noting that his bail in the indecent exposure case was relatively low at $2,000.

Jurors found Shawn Michael Tillman, 35, guilty of first- and second-degree murder, as well as illegal firearm possession, after a two-week trial for the death of Demitri Ellis-Strong.

Tillman was sentenced to life in prison.

In September 2021, the New York Post reported that George Howard allegedly shot and killed another man in Minneapolis following a road rage incident. At the time, Howard was out on bail, thanks to the MFF, in a domestic violence case.

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Howard was prohibited from possessing a gun because of previous felony convictions, according to the Post.

“In all our bail decisions, we strive to balance pre-trial justice with community safety. As a community, we are struggling to navigate and solve violence in our neighborhoods. We all want and deserve to be safe,” the MFF said in its statement.

“But it is neither just nor effective to respond to violence by denying bail and pre-emptively punishing people who are disproportionately poor, Black, brown, and Indigenous.”   

Read: J.D. Vance Shreds ‘Do Nothing’ VP Harris Over Loyalty Remarks In Fiery Speech

Harris’s support for the movement has drawn sharp criticism from various law enforcement groups and political opponents, who argue that her positions could undermine police morale and effectiveness. Republican lawmakers have been particularly vocal, using her past statements as a focal point for broader critiques of the administration’s approach to law enforcement and public safety.

In response to the criticism, Vice President Harris has reiterated her commitment to what she describes as “reimagining public safety.” She advocates for comprehensive police reform that includes better training, accountability, and community-based strategies.

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