Cook County State Attorney Kim Foxx has been reportedly refusing to prosecute “minor” crimes connected to the ongoing protests and violent riots racking Chicago.
But the George Soros-backed prosecutor defended her office’s actions on Tuesday, arguing that her prosecutorial team “is not in the arresting business.”
Several Chicago officials have blamed Foxx and Mayor Lori Lightfoot for letting rioters take over the city’s streets and pillage private businesses.
On Sunday night alone, more than 100 rioters were arrested after they began looting high-end stores on the city’s Magnificent Mile.
According to Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, the rioters “took the streets with confidence that there would be no consequences for their actions.”
The lack of consequences stems directly from Foxx, who instructed her prosecutors late June to dismiss cases involving misdemeanor chargers tied to the protests, including disorderly conduct, unlawful gathering, public demonstration, criminal trespass and curfew violations.
Prosecutors were told to “use your discretion,” but also instructed that there should be a “presumption of dismissal” for arrested protesters, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Foxx even went so far as to say that her office “will not be standing up in court on any of the City of Chicago’s cases, protest-related, citations, or otherwise.”
Even serious offenses, such as assault, resisting arrest, battery, or mob action, should be met with a “presumption against proceeding,” Foxx’s policy stated, unless there’s body- or dash-cam footage available, or if a police officer is the complainant.
A Tribune analysis found that Foxx has dismissed more than 25,000 felony cases – including murder cases – during her tenure since November 2019.
Now, Foxx is trying to act like this policy had nothing to do with protesters’ sudden outburst, arguing that criticism of her policy is a “dishonest blame game.”
The violence and destruction we saw last night was unacceptable. The @cookcountysao has been extremely clear in making the distinction between peaceful protestors and prosecuting those causing harm, damage, and inciting violence. Simple fixes can’t solve complex problems. pic.twitter.com/MeOrQgxj8t
— State’s Attorney Kim Foxx (@SAKimFoxx) August 10, 2020
Brown, however, said the facts speak for themselves. His officers arrested hundreds, but the majority of those cases “were not prosecuted to the fullest extent,” he said.
“We have to have consequences for the arrests that Chicago police officers make through great threat to their own safety,” Brown said.
“And these looters, these thieves, these criminals are emboldened by no consequences in the criminal system,” he continued. “They get released, charges get dropped, so they feel emboldened to do it more.”
