Garland, Rep. Garcia spar over 'enormously concerning' crime spike
Fox News
Rep. Mike Garcia, R-Calif., sparred with Attorney General Merrick Garland on Thursday over "crime spikes like we've never seen before" during Garland’s testimony before the House Appropriations Committee.
"I can't wrap my brain around why you would be pleased with what's gone on in the last, call it year to 18 months," Garcia said. "In the last year, we've seeing crime spikes like we've never seen before: 54% increase in shoplifting, 43% increase in police officers shot around this country in the line of duty, 59% increase in officers killed since 2021, 80% of Americans report that they are concerned about the crime and violence. Homicides nationally increased by 5% in 2021 when compared to 2020. … Gun assaults jumped 8%. 12 cities nationwide broke annual homicide records in 2021, and car thefts rose by 14%."