On crime, Biden should do what's right
CNN
Biden is wrestling with the volatile politics of crime, a controversial issue which may impact his popularity, writes Julian Zelizer. But it would a big mistake if he let the political temptations of the moment guide his position on an issue that is critical to the health of our democracy.
During his trip to New York City on Thursday, Biden met with Mayor Eric Adams and spoke about the need to curb gun violence. At a moment when Adams is dealing with a series of high-profile crimes in the city, the Biden administration is acknowledging the problem and taking steps to show it can be tough on crime. This visit also appears to be an attempt to push back against progressives who are calling to "defund the police," and neutralize any GOP attacks on Democrats for being soft on crime.