Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) was held at gunpoint during a carjacking in Washington, D.C. on Monday night. He was left unharmed, but he may not feel that way in light of the criticism he’s received online since the event.
Cuellar has waffled a bit on the topic of defunding the police, but he has voiced his favor of it in the past. Still, the irony wasn’t lost on critics as they took to the internet to remind Cuellar of his position on law enforcement.
Anyone who denies crime has skyrocketed since the defund the police movement is, well, a denier and part of the problem. Glad Henry Cuellar is okay after being carjacked, but countless citizens face unruly crime everyday. It’s time to stop crime, not deny its rampant existence.
— Congressman Dan Meuser (@RepMeuser) October 3, 2023
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX), a Victim of Recent Carjacking, Previously Voted for Measures to Make it Easier to Defund Police https://t.co/2QpMguq6tA
— Ben Owen🇺🇸🇮🇱 (@hrkbenowen) October 3, 2023
Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar who was the victim of a carjacking tonight previously voted against an amendment to a spending bill which would have taken out language that made it easier to defund police. Democrats unleashed this crime wave. pic.twitter.com/8LurOKuqIR
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) October 3, 2023
Cuellar said he was returning to his home near K Street and New Jersey Avenue SE when three individuals appeared. Armed and demanding he hand over access to his car. He complied with their demands.
The Metropolitan Police and the U.S. Capitol Police immediately launched an investigation into the incident. Cuellar’s car was recovered just one hour later by law enforcement in the Anacostia neighborhood of D.C.
Cuellar commended the Capitol Police and Metro Police for their swift action on the matter.
Cuellar actually comes from a family with a strong law enforcement background, which many people feel contrasts starkly with his comments on defunding the police, including his support of the George Floyd Justice for Policing Act of 2021.
That Act would have, “taken away tools that help keep police officers safe by limiting the ability of local law enforcement agencies to receive surplus military equipment,” per the Heritage Foundation.
Democrat Rep. Henry Cuellar, Victim of Recent Carjacking, Previously Voted for Measures to Make it Easier to Defund Police – He Also Supported the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act via @gatewaypundit https://t.co/DhOeZeMD82
— The Gateway Pundit (@gatewaypundit) October 3, 2023
President Joe Biden personally reached out to Cuellar to ensure he was safe and offered his support.
Cuellar has previously spoken on defunding the police and reallocating funds from law enforcement to social programs instead. This event has cast his opinions in the spotlight as many argue against his suggestions and tout the outcome could have been much different, and would have been without a police presence.
Carjacking in DC – this is the anarchy they want. U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar unharmed following armed carjacking near Capitol : NPR https://t.co/tqycY3NjhT
— Lara Logan (@laralogan) October 3, 2023
Defunding the police is far from the correct approach as crime rates continue to soar nationwide, particularly in cities like D.C. Instead, we can recognize the issues that harm marginalized communities while still upholding the law. The two are not mutually exclusive.
