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Asa Hutchinson on Crime
Former Administrator of D.E.A.; former Republican Representative (AR-3)
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I will stop smash-and-grab in our inner cities
Whenever you look at the underlying challenge of America, no one likes to see an America with smash-and-grab in our inner cities. As president, that will stop. It starts at the top with respect for our justice system, that a former president who's under
indictment has undermined by attacking judges, by attacking prosecutors, by attacking the system and saying he's aggrieved. And so, we have to have respect for our justice system and the rule of law. And it starts at the top with the president.
Source: Fox News 2023 Republican primary debate in Milwaukee
, Aug 23, 2023
Shouldn't promise pardons during presidential campaign
Q: Should Trump be pardoned for the good of the country, as Ambassador Haley suggested?HUTCHINSON: No. First of all, that should not be any discussion during a presidential campaign. You don't put pardons out there to garner votes. That is premature.
Obviously, if there's a conviction--
Q: You think that's what she's doing?
HUTCHINSON: Well, I think that anybody who promises pardons during the presidential campaign is not serving our system of justice well and it's inappropriate.
Source: CBS Face the Nation on 2023 Presidential primary hopefuls
, Jul 30, 2023
Promise to pardon Trump undermines the rule of law
Q: You just heard Vivek Ramaswamy say that he would pardon Donald Trump on his first day in office.HUTCHINSON: It's just wrong, and it shouldn't happen that way.
If you start down that path, it is unending. That really undermines the rule of law in our country that I have served my lifetime supporting. And it's offensive to me that anyone would be holding out a pardon under these circumstances.
Source: CNN interviews on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Jun 11, 2023
Lock up violent offenders and address unfair sentencing
In our democracy, the rule of law is foundational. The law undergirds liberty when the law is applied equally, with restraint and for the greater good. Yes, we must keep violent offenders off our streets and behind bars, but we must also address
unfairness in sentencing. We can--and should--do both. And, we can make America a safer nation by providing our men and women in blue with the resources they need to enforce our laws and protect our families.
Source: 2024 Presidential campaign website Asa2024.com
, May 2, 2023
Don't erode confidence in our entire criminal justice system
The important thing is that the grand jury found probable cause. And that's the standard for any criminal charges in our society. And the presumption of innocence follows you. And then there's a trial. And the termination of guilt or innocence.
That's the American system. We don't want to erode confidence in our entire criminal justice system simply because we don't like the beginning parts of the case.
Source: ABC This Week on 2023 Presidential hopefuls
, Apr 2, 2023
Build new 498 inmate prison because we have a growing state
Our law enforcement is underfunded, underpaid, and underappreciated. The actions of this General Assembly will send the unmistakable message that we support and value our law enforcement partners. While some across the country advocate for reducing
police funding, we are doing the opposite. We are increasing support and affirming that the first duty of government is public safety. I also challenge our counties and cities to do more. Police funding must be a priority at every level.
Currently, we have a record back up of state prisoners in our county jails. This limits the counties and cities in their capacity to enforce local laws. This backlog must be remedied and for that reason, I recommend another one-time investment from our
surplus to fund a new 498 inmate prison facility. Let me emphasize that this need for a new facility is not a reflection of a change in incarceration policy. It is simply the fact that we have a growing state.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
, Feb 14, 2022
Let's not be last state to enact hate crimes legislation
Let me move to a more difficult subject, hate crimes legislation. The main objection that I hear from my conservative friends, is that it gives some people more protection than others. The only way we can come together on this is for us to listen to
each other, and to step into others's shoes. Polls show that a clear majority of Republicans, Democrats, and Independents support passage of this kind of legislation. Let's not be the last to enact it. Let's lead and do what is important for so many.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Arkansas legislature
, Jan 12, 2021
Give criminals a second chance
We have invested more in reentry centers to give people a second chance in life. More than 1,200 inmates have graduated through our reentry facilities, and this results in a lower incarceration rate, more people working, and a reduced burden on
taxpayers. We want to give people a second chance in life after they have paid the penalty for any wrongdoing, and I am proud of our employers who give them a chance!
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
, Jan 15, 2019
Increased funding for law enforcement
I have submitted my balanced budget to you, and it includes additional funding for public safety with 30 additional probation and parole officers. It also includes $2.3 million for an increase of 24 new troopers over the next two years.
The Arkansas State Police is our top law-enforcement agency, and we must support our law enforcement. And Arkansas does.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to the Arkansas legislature
, Jan 15, 2019
Four executions in 8 days; keep protocol of lethal injection
Arkansas executed a death-row inmate in the state's fourth lethal injection in eight days, concluding a frantic execution schedule officials said was necessary to carry out death sentences before one of their drugs expired. Journalists said they saw the
inmate, Kenneth Williams, lurching and convulsing during the lethal injection.Gov. Hutchinson said the executions this month were carried out under the state's protocols, and he dismissed calls for a probe into Williams's execution, saying there were
no indications of pain during any of the lethal injections. "I see no reason for any investigation other than the routine review that is done after every execution," Hutchinson said. After speaking with the Arkansas Department of Correction, "I was
satisfied with the information that I received, and I see nothing that draws questions that would justify anything more than a routine review," Hutchinson said. The governor also said he saw no need to alter the state's execution protocols.
Source: Washington Post on 2018 Arkansas gubernatorial race
, Apr 28, 2017
Balance public safety with giving a second chance in life
We need to continue looking at our criminal justice system in this state to assure that our incarceration policies are right--
to assure that our policy is balanced between public safety and giving those a second chance in life who have fulfilled their responsibilities to society.
Source: 2017 Arkansas State of the State address
, Jan 10, 2017
Page last updated: Jan 24, 2024; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org