Watch Kennedy’s comments here.
 

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today discussed rising crime in the U.S. Below are key excerpts from Kennedy’s remarks.

“ . . . there’s no question that crime has increased in America: homicides, shootings, armed robbery, carjackings.”

. . .

“Many of our cities have become some of the world’s largest outdoor shooting ranges. I think it’s appropriate to ask why. And I don’t mean to wax too philosophical here, but I believe in free will, and I think most Americans do as well. . . . you’re responsible for your actions.

“There are a number of reasons for the increase in our crime rate, but I think part of it is our public leadership. . . . We have many leaders in our communities today who believe, deep down, that, if a criminal commits a crime, it’s really not the criminal’s fault—it’s the fault of an unfair world. And many of these same people believe that punishment, prisons and cops make it worse. And I do not believe that any free society can order a civilized culture without accepting the concept of free will and responsibility.

“And, until our public leaders in many of our communities give up their motto of ‘see no evil, hear no evil, and prosecute no evil,’ we’re not going to see an improvement. Final point: I think President Biden has tolerated a lot of this.”

Video of Kennedy’s comments is available here.