Top Democrat: Carjackings DON’T MATTER — Backlash Erupts

A top Democratic criminal justice advocate sparked nationwide outrage after dismissing migrant crime and carjackings as issues that “don’t matter to that many Americans” during a high-profile DNC strategy session.

Story Snapshot

Insha Rahman of Vera Institute told Democrats that migrant crime and carjackings are politically irrelevant concerns
Rahman urged party leaders to reject Trump’s “tough on crime” rhetoric as mere political theater
The Vera Institute receives millions in federal contracts while advocating for police defunding initiatives
Conservative Americans erupted on social media, condemning the dismissal of violent crime affecting real families

DNC Official Dismisses Crime Concerns as Political Non-Issue

Insha Rahman, Vice President of Advocacy and Partnerships at the Vera Institute of Justice, delivered controversial remarks at the DNC summer meeting in Minneapolis during August 2025. Rahman explicitly told Democratic strategists that issues like migrant crime and carjackings “don’t matter to that many Americans,” urging party leadership to avoid engaging with Republican crime messaging. Her comments occurred during a crime and safety strategy session designed to help Democrats navigate public safety debates ahead of upcoming elections.

Social media erupts after DNC speaker says migrant crime, carjackings 'don't matter' to many Americans https://t.co/SHLDq3h1yc

— Fox News (@FoxNews) August 26, 2025

The remarks immediately went viral on social media platforms, drawing fierce criticism from conservatives who viewed Rahman’s statement as emblematic of liberal elite indifference to violent crime. Critics highlighted that carjackings and migrant-related crimes directly impact American families, particularly in urban areas where such incidents have increased. Rahman’s dismissive tone regarding these serious public safety concerns reinforced conservative perceptions that Democratic leadership prioritizes political messaging over protecting citizens from violent criminals.

Vera Institute’s Radical Police Reform Agenda Under Scrutiny

The Vera Institute of Justice, where Rahman serves as a senior official, has a documented history of supporting police defunding initiatives and radical criminal justice reform. Founded in 1961, the organization gained prominence during the 2020 riots by publicly supporting calls to dismantle traditional policing structures. The institute advocates for ending mass incarceration, protecting illegal immigrants from deportation, and implementing alternatives to law enforcement that many Americans view as dangerous experiments with public safety.

Rahman herself is recognized as a leading advocate for bail reform and decarceration policies that have contributed to increased crime rates in major cities. Her work includes contributing to policy blueprints for closing facilities like Rikers Island while promoting community-based alternatives to incarceration. These positions align with progressive ideologies that prioritize criminal rights over victim protection, undermining the constitutional duty to provide for the common defense and ensure domestic tranquility.

Federal Funding Flows to Anti-Police Organization

Despite its radical anti-police stance, the Vera Institute secured a massive $171.7 million federal contract in 2022 to provide legal assistance to unaccompanied minors, many of whom entered the country illegally. The organization also receives substantial funding from major liberal donors including the Open Society Foundations and Ford Foundation, creating a well-funded network dedicated to undermining traditional law enforcement. This financial backing enables the institute to influence Democratic policy debates and shape messaging that downplays legitimate crime concerns.

Conservative Americans rightfully question why taxpayer dollars fund an organization that actively works to weaken law enforcement and dismiss crime victims’ experiences. The Vera Institute’s influence over Democratic crime policy represents a troubling example of how progressive ideology infiltrates government decision-making, prioritizing abstract social theories over the constitutional obligation to protect American citizens from violent criminals who threaten their safety and property.