Vera Action
@veraaction.bsky.social
Fighting to end mass incarceration, protect immigrants’ rights, restore dignity to people behind bars, and build safe and thriving communities.
Americans agree: Trump's agenda of mass deportations and aggressive law enforcement tactics are making us less safe.
"Driving this is Americans’ belief that Mr. Trump’s policies are not delivering on the safety and security he promised — in fact, now quite the opposite."
"Driving this is Americans’ belief that Mr. Trump’s policies are not delivering on the safety and security he promised — in fact, now quite the opposite."
Opinion | The Polls Are Clear. Americans Don’t Want This.
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:50 PM
Americans agree: Trump's agenda of mass deportations and aggressive law enforcement tactics are making us less safe.
"Driving this is Americans’ belief that Mr. Trump’s policies are not delivering on the safety and security he promised — in fact, now quite the opposite."
"Driving this is Americans’ belief that Mr. Trump’s policies are not delivering on the safety and security he promised — in fact, now quite the opposite."
President Trump is trying to take credit for declining crime rates nationwide.
But this is a trend that's been happening for years and is a result of a range of investments in community violence intervention, economic opportunity, treatment for addiction and mental health, and much more.
But this is a trend that's been happening for years and is a result of a range of investments in community violence intervention, economic opportunity, treatment for addiction and mental health, and much more.
January 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM
President Trump is trying to take credit for declining crime rates nationwide.
But this is a trend that's been happening for years and is a result of a range of investments in community violence intervention, economic opportunity, treatment for addiction and mental health, and much more.
But this is a trend that's been happening for years and is a result of a range of investments in community violence intervention, economic opportunity, treatment for addiction and mental health, and much more.
The violence and chaos surrounding Trump's immigration crackdown—including the killing of Renee Good—has Americans outraged.
Democrats should focus on contrasting Trump's dangerous policies with a comprehensive approach to safety and accountability.
Democrats should focus on contrasting Trump's dangerous policies with a comprehensive approach to safety and accountability.
Minneapolis turmoil has Democrats scrambling to figure out political strategy on immigration
Democrats are rethinking their midterm election strategy due to the controversial immigration crackdown in Minnesota.
apnews.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:43 PM
The violence and chaos surrounding Trump's immigration crackdown—including the killing of Renee Good—has Americans outraged.
Democrats should focus on contrasting Trump's dangerous policies with a comprehensive approach to safety and accountability.
Democrats should focus on contrasting Trump's dangerous policies with a comprehensive approach to safety and accountability.
Trump is now threatening to make an unprecedented move in Minneapolis: invoking the Insurrection Act to punish protesters using military force.
In December, we explained how the Supreme Court opened the door for this to happen on @hesnotwrong.bsky.social:
In December, we explained how the Supreme Court opened the door for this to happen on @hesnotwrong.bsky.social:
January 15, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Trump is now threatening to make an unprecedented move in Minneapolis: invoking the Insurrection Act to punish protesters using military force.
In December, we explained how the Supreme Court opened the door for this to happen on @hesnotwrong.bsky.social:
In December, we explained how the Supreme Court opened the door for this to happen on @hesnotwrong.bsky.social:
Expanded investments in public health and addiction treatments under President Biden led to big gains in reducing fentanyl deaths.
But Biden and Harris allowed Trump to out-message them on fentanyl, with sweeping consequences for U.S. drug policy, public safety, and health, per @npr.org:
But Biden and Harris allowed Trump to out-message them on fentanyl, with sweeping consequences for U.S. drug policy, public safety, and health, per @npr.org:
How Joe Biden made big gains battling street fentanyl but lost the messaging war to Donald Trump
A growing body of data shows Joe Biden and Kamala Harris made unprecedented gains reducing fentanyl deaths, while dramatically slowing supply of the deadly opioid into the U-S. But critics say Democra...
www.npr.org
January 9, 2026 at 6:35 PM
Expanded investments in public health and addiction treatments under President Biden led to big gains in reducing fentanyl deaths.
But Biden and Harris allowed Trump to out-message them on fentanyl, with sweeping consequences for U.S. drug policy, public safety, and health, per @npr.org:
But Biden and Harris allowed Trump to out-message them on fentanyl, with sweeping consequences for U.S. drug policy, public safety, and health, per @npr.org:
New York City remains one of the safest big cities in the country after another historic year of declining violent crime rates.
But there is still more work to be done, per @brennancenter.org's report:
But there is still more work to be done, per @brennancenter.org's report:
2025 Trends in Crime and Safety in New York City
New York remains one of the safest cities in the country, but some persistent challenges require close attention.
www.brennancenter.org
January 6, 2026 at 4:27 PM
New York City remains one of the safest big cities in the country after another historic year of declining violent crime rates.
But there is still more work to be done, per @brennancenter.org's report:
But there is still more work to be done, per @brennancenter.org's report:
In 2025, cities that invested in a serious, comprehensive approach to safety had major success in lowering crime—in spite of Trump's agenda of chaos.
Chicago recorded the fewest murders on record since 1965, per @wbez.org:
Chicago recorded the fewest murders on record since 1965, per @wbez.org:
Chicago records fewest killings since 1965, despite Trump's campaign against city
Overall crime continued to drop as the number of murders in Chicago decreased from 587 in 2024 to 416 last year, when scores of federal immigration agents flooded the city and President Trump repeated...
www.wbez.org
January 5, 2026 at 7:24 PM
In 2025, cities that invested in a serious, comprehensive approach to safety had major success in lowering crime—in spite of Trump's agenda of chaos.
Chicago recorded the fewest murders on record since 1965, per @wbez.org:
Chicago recorded the fewest murders on record since 1965, per @wbez.org:
🚨 NEW: The New York City Council will introduce a bill to create a Department of Community Safety, an initiative that will use a whole-of-government approach to tackle gun violence, address the mental health crisis head-on and help deliver public safety for all New Yorkers.
December 18, 2025 at 8:53 PM
🚨 NEW: The New York City Council will introduce a bill to create a Department of Community Safety, an initiative that will use a whole-of-government approach to tackle gun violence, address the mental health crisis head-on and help deliver public safety for all New Yorkers.
Trump's agenda of ICE raids and hostile takeovers of U.S. cities is unjust and unsafe. State and local leaders must step up to counter it.
Building upon months of momentum, a new playbook is emerging in places targeted by the Trump crackdown. 🧵
Building upon months of momentum, a new playbook is emerging in places targeted by the Trump crackdown. 🧵
When the feds come to town: In cities targeted by Trump’s immigration crackdown, a shared playbook emerges | CNN
As Chad Curry busily ferries his teenage children through the streets of their Chicago neighborhood of West Ridge, he eyes passing vehicles with a skepticism he didn’t have just a few months ago.
www.cnn.com
December 17, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Trump's agenda of ICE raids and hostile takeovers of U.S. cities is unjust and unsafe. State and local leaders must step up to counter it.
Building upon months of momentum, a new playbook is emerging in places targeted by the Trump crackdown. 🧵
Building upon months of momentum, a new playbook is emerging in places targeted by the Trump crackdown. 🧵
The Trump admin's sudden termination of funds for successful violence intervention programs have been devastating for communities like Bogalusa, LA.
Via @us.theguardian.com:
Via @us.theguardian.com:
‘We’re back at stage one’: Trump cuts rock Louisiana town plagued by gun violence
Federal funds helped Bogalusa address the deep roots of crime – but with the grant pulled, has momentum been lost for ever?
www.theguardian.com
December 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The Trump admin's sudden termination of funds for successful violence intervention programs have been devastating for communities like Bogalusa, LA.
Via @us.theguardian.com:
Via @us.theguardian.com:
Sending federal troops to take over our cities and tear families apart doesn't make us safer. It's just dangerous and illegal political theater.
We deserve leaders who champion safety, accountability, and justice for all.
We deserve leaders who champion safety, accountability, and justice for all.
Judge Says Trump Must End Guard Deployment in Los Angeles
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Sending federal troops to take over our cities and tear families apart doesn't make us safer. It's just dangerous and illegal political theater.
We deserve leaders who champion safety, accountability, and justice for all.
We deserve leaders who champion safety, accountability, and justice for all.
There is no one silver bullet to make crime down.
Cities that invest in a wide range of things proven to build safe communities—jobs, treatment, education, violence intervention programs and more—have seen promising results.
Cities that invest in a wide range of things proven to build safe communities—jobs, treatment, education, violence intervention programs and more—have seen promising results.
These five cities help explain why homicide rates are down across the U.S.
Homicides are down nearly 20 percent this year in 52 of America’s largest cities, a decline that spans both red states and blue states.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 4:38 PM
There is no one silver bullet to make crime down.
Cities that invest in a wide range of things proven to build safe communities—jobs, treatment, education, violence intervention programs and more—have seen promising results.
Cities that invest in a wide range of things proven to build safe communities—jobs, treatment, education, violence intervention programs and more—have seen promising results.
Reminder: the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda and ICE raids aren't about reducing crime and delivering safety—they're about weaponizing fear.
Americans deserve better. We deserve leadership who is serious about everyone's safety.
Americans deserve better. We deserve leadership who is serious about everyone's safety.
ICE Arrest Data Shows Many Immigrants With No Criminal Record
In high-profile operations, more than half of those arrested had no criminal record, an analysis shows.
www.nytimes.com
December 5, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Reminder: the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda and ICE raids aren't about reducing crime and delivering safety—they're about weaponizing fear.
Americans deserve better. We deserve leadership who is serious about everyone's safety.
Americans deserve better. We deserve leadership who is serious about everyone's safety.
The true measurement of public safety is whether people of all incomes feel safe in their neighborhoods and believe that their city and public spaces work for them.
Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson's campaign embodied that principle. Via @urbanistorg.bsky.social:
Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson's campaign embodied that principle. Via @urbanistorg.bsky.social:
Katie Wilson Charts New Course on Public Safety and Homelessness » The Urbanist
# Seattle Mayor-Elect Katie Wilson believes she'll be judged primarily by how she can improve outcomes on homelessness and public safety. In an interview with The Urbanist, Wilson laid out what she ai...
www.theurbanist.org
December 1, 2025 at 8:17 PM
The true measurement of public safety is whether people of all incomes feel safe in their neighborhoods and believe that their city and public spaces work for them.
Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson's campaign embodied that principle. Via @urbanistorg.bsky.social:
Seattle Mayor-elect Katie Wilson's campaign embodied that principle. Via @urbanistorg.bsky.social:
With the House GOP passing two bills last week to roll back Washington, DC’s police accountability and bail reform policies, Republicans continue to treat DC as a dress rehearsal for their nationwide "politics of fear" strategy to exploit crime.
Taking Trump’s lead, House votes to change D.C. bail, policing laws
As the Republican-led House considers sweeping changes to D.C.’s criminal justice system, two more bills pass — with some Democratic support.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
With the House GOP passing two bills last week to roll back Washington, DC’s police accountability and bail reform policies, Republicans continue to treat DC as a dress rehearsal for their nationwide "politics of fear" strategy to exploit crime.
In spite of Trump's chaotic deployment of federal troops to U.S. cities, Democratic mayors are leading the way on public safety solutions.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee believes the city's Department of Violence Prevention deserves more credit for the city's crime decline.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee believes the city's Department of Violence Prevention deserves more credit for the city's crime decline.
Oakland's new mayor Barbara Lee fights high crime and tells federal law enforcement to stay away
Barbara Lee has been Oakland’s mayor for half a year. This month she found herself consoling the friends and family of a beloved community college football coach who taught thousands.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:52 PM
In spite of Trump's chaotic deployment of federal troops to U.S. cities, Democratic mayors are leading the way on public safety solutions.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee believes the city's Department of Violence Prevention deserves more credit for the city's crime decline.
Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee believes the city's Department of Violence Prevention deserves more credit for the city's crime decline.
In Seattle, Mayor-elect Katie Wilson beat her incumbent opponent by running on a "serious about safety" agenda, focused on:
✅ Improving the city's record on violence prevention and response
✅ Addressing drug and disorder hotspots by scaling up proven programs
(cont'd)
✅ Improving the city's record on violence prevention and response
✅ Addressing drug and disorder hotspots by scaling up proven programs
(cont'd)
November 21, 2025 at 4:53 PM
In Seattle, Mayor-elect Katie Wilson beat her incumbent opponent by running on a "serious about safety" agenda, focused on:
✅ Improving the city's record on violence prevention and response
✅ Addressing drug and disorder hotspots by scaling up proven programs
(cont'd)
✅ Improving the city's record on violence prevention and response
✅ Addressing drug and disorder hotspots by scaling up proven programs
(cont'd)
As Americans grow tired from the chaos and economic pain caused by Trump's mass deportation raids, Democrats should redefine the immigration debate by emphasizing order, humanity, and economic stability.
"They want security and stability, but not cruelty and chaos."
"They want security and stability, but not cruelty and chaos."
It’s Time for Democrats to Lead on Immigration Again
Across New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, voters sent a clear message last Tuesday: they’ve turned against President Trump’s agenda. Immigration ranked among the top issues alongside the economy...
substack.com
November 17, 2025 at 7:05 PM
As Americans grow tired from the chaos and economic pain caused by Trump's mass deportation raids, Democrats should redefine the immigration debate by emphasizing order, humanity, and economic stability.
"They want security and stability, but not cruelty and chaos."
"They want security and stability, but not cruelty and chaos."
Communities nationwide are still suffering the cost of President Trump's termination of more than $800 million in grants to successful safety programs.
Trump said he would "make American safe again," but these cuts were never about safety—they're about control.
Trump said he would "make American safe again," but these cuts were never about safety—they're about control.
Public safety groups face an uncertain future months after federal grant cuts
Six months after the Trump administration cut more than $800 million in Justice Department grants geared toward public safety, the organizations affected are adjusting to a future without that money.
www.npr.org
November 13, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Communities nationwide are still suffering the cost of President Trump's termination of more than $800 million in grants to successful safety programs.
Trump said he would "make American safe again," but these cuts were never about safety—they're about control.
Trump said he would "make American safe again," but these cuts were never about safety—they're about control.
This year’s elections offer important lessons for Democrats on handling crime and safety.
Winning Democratic campaigns are unifying under a new paradigm of safety that rejects the polarized choice of "defund" vs. "tough on crime."
🧵 and link below to our Five Takeaways on the 2025 elections.
Winning Democratic campaigns are unifying under a new paradigm of safety that rejects the polarized choice of "defund" vs. "tough on crime."
🧵 and link below to our Five Takeaways on the 2025 elections.
November 12, 2025 at 5:33 PM
This year’s elections offer important lessons for Democrats on handling crime and safety.
Winning Democratic campaigns are unifying under a new paradigm of safety that rejects the polarized choice of "defund" vs. "tough on crime."
🧵 and link below to our Five Takeaways on the 2025 elections.
Winning Democratic campaigns are unifying under a new paradigm of safety that rejects the polarized choice of "defund" vs. "tough on crime."
🧵 and link below to our Five Takeaways on the 2025 elections.
📊 NEW from Vera Action and YouGov: a plurality of registered voters view President Trump’s National Guard deployments as politically motivated, and 57% of those surveyed agree that Trump doesn't actually care about public safety.
Voters Skeptical of Trump's National Guard Deployments, Prefer Local Leaders - Davis Vanguard
A new poll commissioned by Vera Action and conducted by YouGov suggests that a plurality of registered voters view President Donald Trump's recent National Guard deployments as politically motivated r...
davisvanguard.org
November 5, 2025 at 10:13 PM
📊 NEW from Vera Action and YouGov: a plurality of registered voters view President Trump’s National Guard deployments as politically motivated, and 57% of those surveyed agree that Trump doesn't actually care about public safety.
🚨 NEW from @gallup.com:
67% of Americans prioritize "addressing social and economic problems such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health," while just 29% believe more resources should be devoted to "strengthening law enforcement."
67% of Americans prioritize "addressing social and economic problems such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health," while just 29% believe more resources should be devoted to "strengthening law enforcement."
Americans Prefer Tempered Crime-Fighting Methods
Americans as a whole favor addressing the root causes of crime over boosting law enforcement, and they oppose using military force in U.S. cities, but partisans' views strongly differ.
news.gallup.com
November 3, 2025 at 7:53 PM
🚨 NEW from @gallup.com:
67% of Americans prioritize "addressing social and economic problems such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health," while just 29% believe more resources should be devoted to "strengthening law enforcement."
67% of Americans prioritize "addressing social and economic problems such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health," while just 29% believe more resources should be devoted to "strengthening law enforcement."
Federal policy that invested in community-based violence prevention initiatives helped deliver one of the largest drops in gun violence the U.S. have ever seen, per @thetrace.org.
But in April of this year, Trump terminated much of that funding, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
But in April of this year, Trump terminated much of that funding, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
A Trace Analysis of 150 U.S. Cities Shows One of the Greatest Drops in Gun Violence — Ever
A Gun Violence Data Hub analysis of 150 cities paints a mostly consistent picture.
www.thetrace.org
October 29, 2025 at 6:58 PM
Federal policy that invested in community-based violence prevention initiatives helped deliver one of the largest drops in gun violence the U.S. have ever seen, per @thetrace.org.
But in April of this year, Trump terminated much of that funding, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
But in April of this year, Trump terminated much of that funding, leaving communities to fend for themselves.
Federal troops are being deployed into Democratic-led cities under the guise of fighting crime. But these deployments aren’t about safety—they’re about control.
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman joined @staceyabrams.com on the #AssemblyRequired podcast:
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman joined @staceyabrams.com on the #AssemblyRequired podcast:
Donald Trump is Turning the Military Against American Citizens
YouTube video by Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Federal troops are being deployed into Democratic-led cities under the guise of fighting crime. But these deployments aren’t about safety—they’re about control.
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman joined @staceyabrams.com on the #AssemblyRequired podcast:
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman joined @staceyabrams.com on the #AssemblyRequired podcast:
Just weeks before the New York City mayoral election, Andrew Cuomo changed his prior position on closing Rikers Island and now says he wants to keep it open.
It's bad politics and bad policy.
It's bad politics and bad policy.
Andrew Cuomo wants to keep Rikers Island for jails despite opposition to the idea
Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently proposed abandoning the borough-based jail plan in favor of rebuilding new facilities on Rikers Island.
amsterdamnews.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Just weeks before the New York City mayoral election, Andrew Cuomo changed his prior position on closing Rikers Island and now says he wants to keep it open.
It's bad politics and bad policy.
It's bad politics and bad policy.