Sunflower State News

U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) joined several Republican colleagues at a press conference in Washington to discuss recent declines in crime rates in the nation’s capital. The event, held on Wednesday, featured Senators John Cornyn (R-Texas), Tommy Tuberville (R-Alabama), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), Ashley Moody (R-Florida), Mike Lee (R-Utah), and DC crime victim Anna Giaritelli.

During his remarks, Senator Marshall addressed concerns about safety for residents, staff, and visitors to Washington, D.C., which receives over 27 million visitors annually, including more than 2 million international guests and over a million students and young adults.

“Senator Cornyn and I share a couple of things where I think we wake up in the morning as grandfathers, as parents, and we ask, is our family safe? And up here, we have to ask, is our staff safe? Are the visitors from back home? Are they safe? In fact, over 27 million visitors flocked to our nation’s capital annually, including over 2 million international guests, and well over a million students, children, and young adults. And I asked myself this morning, walking in early, why do these masses come? Well, foreigners arrived to witness freedom firsthand, something they deeply long for, and it’s here where they see the birthplace of modern democracy and the world’s guardian of liberty and freedom.”

Marshall also reflected on the symbolism of Lady Freedom atop the Capitol building: “For Americans, we often come with our children or grandchildren to behold Lady Freedom atop the nation’s capital. Here she symbolizes that freedom reigns supreme in our nation; that she stands over this nation as a guardian. She has a sheath sword that points downward, and I love that. It declares that we are people at peace yet ready to defend our ideals. And today we’re here to defend these ideas for our youth. This is where history becomes life. Classroom lessons bloom into inspiration as they learn of our founding fathers and mothers’ sacrifices—their blood, their sweat, their tears—and fortunes to birth the nation conceived in liberty and justice for all.”

Marshall credited President Trump’s administration along with local officials for recent improvements in public safety: “But people don’t come to Washington DC to encounter a murder every other day; to see a carjacking daily; or to see eight violent crimes a day thanks to President Trump; our National Guard; brave law enforcement; and Mayor Muriel Bowser’s pragmatic cooperation. Crime is plummeting in just over two weeks. Murders; violent crimes; and carjackings have dropped by nearly 50% or more. Yet none of us standing here is satisfied with those current crime rates.”

He also shared personal accounts involving his staff: “The pain lingers for each one of us about our own staff members. One of my staffers’ cars [parked outside] the apartment was riddled with bullets. Two other my staffers’ vehicles were broken into; and a fourth staffer was attacked by young punks. No—we’re not satisfied at all. Our shared dream and hope is that Washington DC remains the symbolic heart of our great nation—a vibrant embodiment of American democracy strength—and exceptionalism. It must forever be our shining city on a hill showcasing America’s best in inspiring the next generation of patriots. Thank you.”