(Headline USA) The Pennsylvania House voted to impeach Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner this week over his refusal to crack down on violent crime.
Pennsylvania Republicans filed articles of impeachment against Krasner on Oct. 27 for “negligence of duty” and “misbehavior in office.” Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff pointed out in the resolution that, under Krasner, there have been nearly 1,000 homicides in Philadelphia in the last month, as well as more than 1,000 carjackings since the beginning of the year.
“Krasner, by and through his failed policies and procedures, and throughout the discharge of his duties as Philadelphia’s chief law enforcement officer, has been derelict in his obligations to the victims of crime, the people of the city of Philadelphia, and of this Commonwealth, and has failed to uphold his oath of office,” the articles of impeachment read.
Under Krasner’s direction, the district attorney’s office has continued to “focus on issues that promote” his “progressive philosophies rather than how to effectively prosecute a criminal case,” the Republicans said.
“In reality, the policies and practices of the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office instituted under the direction of District Attorney Krasner have led to catastrophic consequences for the people of the City of Philadelphia,” the resolution alleged.
The state House hasn’t impeached a government official in nearly 30 years, and has only tried to remove an elected official a few times in the past three centuries. If Krasner is convicted, it will be the first time for a district attorney in the state’s history.
Krasner claimed history will “harshly judge” Pennsylvania Republicans for trying to oust him.
“In the hundreds of years the Commonwealth has existed, this is the only time the House has used the drastic remedy of impeachment of an elected official because they do not like their ideas,” he said in a statement. “History will harshly judge this anti-democratic authoritarian effort to erase Philly’s votes — votes by Black, brown, and broke people in Philadelphia.”
Republicans responded to Krasner by arguing that “no public official is above accountability.”
“No one individual has the right to set aside the laws of Congress or the General Assembly because they simply do not like the law. No one has that degree of absolute power,” said state Rep. Tim Bonner.
