Democratic lawmaker with ties to ‘defund the police’ movement calls for crackdown on crime following assault

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MSNBC doxxes Rep. Angie Craig following elevator assault in DC

MSNBC erroneously aired the home address of Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., after she was allegedly attacked inside an elevator at her Washington, D.C. residence.

Democratic Congresswoman Angie Craig, Minn., who was allegedly assaulted in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. residence by a 26-year-old man named Kendrid Hamlin, has a past link to the "defund the police" movement.

One of Craig’s former staffers, Liz Young, has spoken out against the police and even called for property destruction on her Twitter account, according to a Washington Free Beacon report from last year. 

In 2020, Young responded to news about deaths related to police in New York with four words: "Burn. It. All. Down." 

DC POLICE ARREST MAN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING MINNESOTA DEMOCRAT REP. ANGIE CRAIG

Democrat Congresswoman Angie Craig, who was allegedly assaulted in the elevator by a 26-year-old man named Kendrid Hamlin, has been tied to the "defund the police" movement. (REUTERS )

Young also claimed in June 2020 that cities should "fund counselors, not cops," and has also promoted the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a far-left group that supports the defunding of the police. She left Craig's office in November, according to Legistorm.

A spokesperson distanced her last year from Young's remarks.

"Angie's staff includes Minnesotans from across the ideological spectrum, from lifelong Democrats to supporters of former President Trump," spokesman David McGonigal told the Free Beacon. "She has a proven record of supporting law enforcement and fighting to ensure they have the resources they need to do their job safely and effectively. Angie has long established her own record on these issues and does not hold the same views as those shared in her staffer's personal posts."

Craig has had a section of her website dedicated to supporting law enforcement since at least 2022, and she was critical of the alleged attacker not being prosecuted for past offenses. 

"I got attacked by someone who the District of Columbia has not prosecuted fully over the course of almost a decade, over the course of 12 assaults before mine that morning," Craig told CBS News. 

"And so I think we have to think about how in the world we can make sure that we’re not just letting criminals out," she added. 

The Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association endorsed Craig in her 2022 re-election bid after endorsing her Republican opponent in the previous cycle.

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"If you throw somebody in jail for 10 days and think, 'There's your punishment, and we're gonna let you right back on the street,' what the hell do you think's gonna happen?" Craig asked.  (Reuters)

Craig emphasized that repeat offenders are not always deterred by short sentences and punishments.

"I mean, it wasn’t even in every instance that he got 10 days or 30 days. Many times, the charges were completely dropped before any justice was achieved at all," she said.

"If you throw somebody in jail for 10 days and think, 'There's your punishment, and we're gonna let you right back on the street,' what the hell do you think's gonna happen?" Craig asked. 

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"We have to get these repeat offenders off the streets," Craig (left) said. (Chip Somodevilla vid Getty Images)

The Democratic congresswoman argued that there must be a way to prevent criminals from "getting back out" and getting away with the same crimes. 

"We have to get these repeat offenders off the streets," she said. 

"We also have got to figure out how we get people the mental health and addiction help that they need because these people are getting back out and just recommitting the same crimes over and over and over again." 

Fox News’ Sarah Rumpf contributed to this report. 

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Note: This article was updated to make clear Young left Craig's office last year. It also includes additional context to show past support for police from her office.