In a delightful twist of fate, Governor Gavin Newsom has surprised the country by taking a page from the Trump administration’s playbook—an act as shocking as a vegan ordering a steak. California’s governor decided to send state police into the major cities to help local law enforcement combat rising crime and violence. It seems the prospect of federal intervention was enough to nudge him into action, or perhaps he simply ran out of excuses. Either way, one can imagine the governor begrudgingly donning a police badge for Halloween while sending the actual officers into the fray.
Meanwhile, Louisiana Senator John Kennedy welcomed the move, albeit with a touch of sarcasm. It’s not every day that you get to witness what he cheekily referred to as a “conversion” on Governor Newsom’s part. After watching the Golden State’s leader turn a cold shoulder to crime control for so long, one can’t help but wonder if he had some sort of epiphany. Perhaps he finally realized that his chic, laissez-faire attitude toward rising crime rates wasn’t winning any gold stars in the governance department.
The reality is that violent crime has been on the rise in many big cities across America. Chicago, in particular, has become notorious for its crime rates. Yet, while many residents are practically begging for help, some Democratic leaders seem more interested in politics than the safety of their constituents. It’s like watching a comedy of errors unfold—leaders insisting that everything’s fine while the residents recount personal tragedies and plead for action. You can almost picture them giving a thumbs-up in official press photos as if that could deflect the bullets in their city’s streets.
In a candid moment dripping with disbelief, the good senator pointed out that even the infamous mafia is reportedly giving Chicago a wide berth these days. Imagine that: notorious criminals steering clear of a city supposedly kept safe by its leaders. Meanwhile, everyday residents are left to dodge stray bullets and wonder if anyone up in the ivory towers of Chicago’s governance is listening. This highlights a theme too often ignored: public safety is a universal concern, transcending political lines, yet remains a secondary priority for some of those in charge.
Senator Kennedy made it clear that he would welcome help, in “a skinny minute” —a phrase as warm and welcoming as a Southern hospitality cliché—as he emphasized that Louisianans desire safety just as much as anyone else in America. It’s quite simple, really. When faced with crime that’s spiraling out of control, practical solutions need to rise above politicized debates. Whether it’s sending in the National Guard or looking at successful strategies implemented by contrasting political affiliations, what truly matters is delivering results that keep communities safe. At the end of the day, it’s about action, not optics, and certainly not more empty rhetoric.
