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.
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.
"If Trump truly wanted to do his job and help our city, he wouldn't send troops; he would send funds for affordable housing, mental health clinics and job opportunities for young people."
The only war in Chicago is the one the president is waging against us | Opinion
Since Trump declared war on Chicago, teachers have worked to protect and help students and their families from being taken by ICE.
www.usatoday.com
October 15, 2025 at 2:32 PM
"If Trump truly wanted to do his job and help our city, he wouldn't send troops; he would send funds for affordable housing, mental health clinics and job opportunities for young people."
Gov. Cuomo’s about-face on closing Rikers isn’t about safety or justice—it’s just bad politics.
In 2018, he backed its closure: he knew rebuilding Rikers wouldn’t address the deep, systemic violence, and would be far more costly than borough-based jails.
In 2018, he backed its closure: he knew rebuilding Rikers wouldn’t address the deep, systemic violence, and would be far more costly than borough-based jails.
Cuomo Calls for Rebuilding Rikers Island and Keeping the Complex Open
www.nytimes.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Gov. Cuomo’s about-face on closing Rikers isn’t about safety or justice—it’s just bad politics.
In 2018, he backed its closure: he knew rebuilding Rikers wouldn’t address the deep, systemic violence, and would be far more costly than borough-based jails.
In 2018, he backed its closure: he knew rebuilding Rikers wouldn’t address the deep, systemic violence, and would be far more costly than borough-based jails.
Trump threatened to invoke an 1807 law to force military troops into American cities to score on his political opponents. He doesn't care about our safety.
We deserve leaders with actual plans to lower crime rates and increase safety in cities.
We deserve leaders with actual plans to lower crime rates and increase safety in cities.
How Trump could use the Insurrection Act to send troops to American cities
The president told reporters Monday that "we have an Insurrection Act for a reason."
www.axios.com
October 7, 2025 at 6:56 PM
Trump threatened to invoke an 1807 law to force military troops into American cities to score on his political opponents. He doesn't care about our safety.
We deserve leaders with actual plans to lower crime rates and increase safety in cities.
We deserve leaders with actual plans to lower crime rates and increase safety in cities.
Politically driven attacks on proven violence intervention programs and services pose a serious threat to public safety.
Leaders who truly care about safety and justice must stand strong and defend what works to build safer communities.
Leaders who truly care about safety and justice must stand strong and defend what works to build safer communities.
October 2, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Politically driven attacks on proven violence intervention programs and services pose a serious threat to public safety.
Leaders who truly care about safety and justice must stand strong and defend what works to build safer communities.
Leaders who truly care about safety and justice must stand strong and defend what works to build safer communities.
Governor @govpritzker.illinois.gov is right about Trump's threat to march federal troops into Chicago and other American cities.
"One thing is clear—none of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer."
"One thing is clear—none of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer."
Illinois governor says Trump's military deployment threat isn't about safety
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says President Trump's threat to deploy 100 military personnel to Chicago is an effort to cause "mayhem," not make residents safer.
www.npr.org
October 1, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Governor @govpritzker.illinois.gov is right about Trump's threat to march federal troops into Chicago and other American cities.
"One thing is clear—none of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer."
"One thing is clear—none of what Trump is doing is making Illinois safer."
Detroit is seeing as much as a 50 percent drop in violent crime in neighborhoods that have set up strong community violence intervention programs.
We know what works to keep us safe—and it’s not marching federal troops into American cities.
We know what works to keep us safe—and it’s not marching federal troops into American cities.
Detroit's community violence program is having an effect, latest data shows
Between May and the end of July, the five zones overseen by community groups reported a 30% drop in homicides and non-fatal shootings. In two others, there was a 50% drop.
www.fox2detroit.com
September 30, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Detroit is seeing as much as a 50 percent drop in violent crime in neighborhoods that have set up strong community violence intervention programs.
We know what works to keep us safe—and it’s not marching federal troops into American cities.
We know what works to keep us safe—and it’s not marching federal troops into American cities.
Mayors like Barbara Lee in Oakland understand what it takes to bring crime rates down: investments in jobs, housing and social services, and accountability at all levels.
"Accountability and safety go hand in hand."
"Accountability and safety go hand in hand."
Crime in Oakland dropped. Here’s how officials plan to keep it down
Your morning catch-up: Oakland is getting past a crime wave, millions of Californians are getting a refund on their electric bill and more big stories.
www.latimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Mayors like Barbara Lee in Oakland understand what it takes to bring crime rates down: investments in jobs, housing and social services, and accountability at all levels.
"Accountability and safety go hand in hand."
"Accountability and safety go hand in hand."
Cutting funding for violence prevention programs and deploying federal troops to cities threatens the progress made on delivering public safety.
"Trump is prioritizing political theater over solutions to reduce crime." -Vera Action Director Insha Rahman
"Trump is prioritizing political theater over solutions to reduce crime." -Vera Action Director Insha Rahman
These Black cities cut crime. Mayors fear Trump's moves could undo the progress.
Crime is down in majority-Black cities, but mayors say Trump's cuts and Guard threats risk it.
www.axios.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Cutting funding for violence prevention programs and deploying federal troops to cities threatens the progress made on delivering public safety.
"Trump is prioritizing political theater over solutions to reduce crime." -Vera Action Director Insha Rahman
"Trump is prioritizing political theater over solutions to reduce crime." -Vera Action Director Insha Rahman
Opinion research has consistently found that "tough on crime" rhetoric reinforces the GOP brand, even when Democrats use it.
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman talks to David Weigel about why Democrats need to build their own brand:
www.semafor.com/article/09/0...
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman talks to David Weigel about why Democrats need to build their own brand:
www.semafor.com/article/09/0...
One Democratic strategist’s argument against the ‘tough on crime’ pivot
Insha Rahman spoke to Semafor about how criminal justice reformers are thinking through this moment, and what her group’s polling really says.
www.semafor.com
September 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Opinion research has consistently found that "tough on crime" rhetoric reinforces the GOP brand, even when Democrats use it.
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman talks to David Weigel about why Democrats need to build their own brand:
www.semafor.com/article/09/0...
Vera Action Director Insha Rahman talks to David Weigel about why Democrats need to build their own brand:
www.semafor.com/article/09/0...
Democrats cannot "out-tough" Trump and the GOP on crime. To respond to this historic threat, the party needs to tell its own story about what makes us safe.
They can own the issue of safety by focusing on real investments that are actually working to build safe communities.
They can own the issue of safety by focusing on real investments that are actually working to build safe communities.
Trump Is Leaning in on Crime. Democrats Need a Better Response — and Fast.
If the president's recent escalation was an attempt to goad Democrats into declaring that crime isn’t a problem, they did not disappoint him.
www.politico.com
August 28, 2025 at 9:07 PM
Democrats cannot "out-tough" Trump and the GOP on crime. To respond to this historic threat, the party needs to tell its own story about what makes us safe.
They can own the issue of safety by focusing on real investments that are actually working to build safe communities.
They can own the issue of safety by focusing on real investments that are actually working to build safe communities.
Our charge to Democrats at the DNC Summer Meeting on Monday: take ownership of safety and justice.
Candidates who avoid the topic of crime on the campaign trail will do so at their peril.
Candidates who avoid the topic of crime on the campaign trail will do so at their peril.
While Republicans have made crime a core part of their platform, their policy proposals to get "tougher" don't actually work.
Democrats, on the other hand, have fallen short on acknowledging real concerns about crime or offering their own path forward.
Democrats, on the other hand, have fallen short on acknowledging real concerns about crime or offering their own path forward.
The Politics of Crime Are Perilous for Left and Right Alike
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Our charge to Democrats at the DNC Summer Meeting on Monday: take ownership of safety and justice.
Candidates who avoid the topic of crime on the campaign trail will do so at their peril.
Candidates who avoid the topic of crime on the campaign trail will do so at their peril.
We weren't bluffing when we said that the federal takeover of D.C. was a political liability for Trump and Republicans.
➡️ Just 38% of Americans support using troops for law enforcement in the U.S. capital.
➡️ 46% are opposed.
New from Reuters/Ipsos:
➡️ Just 38% of Americans support using troops for law enforcement in the U.S. capital.
➡️ 46% are opposed.
New from Reuters/Ipsos:
Just 38% of Americans support Trump's use of troops to police DC, Reuters/Ipsos poll finds
Few Americans outside President Donald Trump's Republican Party support his deployment of National Guard troops to police the streets of Washington, D.C., according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
www.reuters.com
August 27, 2025 at 5:41 PM
We weren't bluffing when we said that the federal takeover of D.C. was a political liability for Trump and Republicans.
➡️ Just 38% of Americans support using troops for law enforcement in the U.S. capital.
➡️ 46% are opposed.
New from Reuters/Ipsos:
➡️ Just 38% of Americans support using troops for law enforcement in the U.S. capital.
➡️ 46% are opposed.
New from Reuters/Ipsos:
Since 2022, we've conducted 40+ rounds of national, state, and local research on how voters are thinking about crime and safety.
Our message at the DNC on Monday was that a majority of Americans favor policies and programs that prevent crime and make communities safer. 🧵
Our message at the DNC on Monday was that a majority of Americans favor policies and programs that prevent crime and make communities safer. 🧵
August 27, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Since 2022, we've conducted 40+ rounds of national, state, and local research on how voters are thinking about crime and safety.
Our message at the DNC on Monday was that a majority of Americans favor policies and programs that prevent crime and make communities safer. 🧵
Our message at the DNC on Monday was that a majority of Americans favor policies and programs that prevent crime and make communities safer. 🧵
Our message at the DNC Summer Meeting yesterday was simple:
Own the issues of safety and justice by talking about them early and often. Focus on solutions that are actually working to make us safer.
We can do better than empty "tough on crime" rhetoric.
Own the issues of safety and justice by talking about them early and often. Focus on solutions that are actually working to make us safer.
We can do better than empty "tough on crime" rhetoric.
August 26, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Our message at the DNC Summer Meeting yesterday was simple:
Own the issues of safety and justice by talking about them early and often. Focus on solutions that are actually working to make us safer.
We can do better than empty "tough on crime" rhetoric.
Own the issues of safety and justice by talking about them early and often. Focus on solutions that are actually working to make us safer.
We can do better than empty "tough on crime" rhetoric.
Bottom line: D.C. residents feel less safe as a direct result of Trump's federal takeover. There's no erasing that reality.
Democrats should absolutely stand up against this power grab by speaking loud and clear about what actually works to keep us safe.
Democrats should absolutely stand up against this power grab by speaking loud and clear about what actually works to keep us safe.
In D.C. neighborhoods with gun crime, residents want help. But not like this.
The Post interviewed more than 30 people who live or work where shootings and homicides are highest. Their views on Trump’s policing solution are mixed.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 26, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Bottom line: D.C. residents feel less safe as a direct result of Trump's federal takeover. There's no erasing that reality.
Democrats should absolutely stand up against this power grab by speaking loud and clear about what actually works to keep us safe.
Democrats should absolutely stand up against this power grab by speaking loud and clear about what actually works to keep us safe.
We're proud to be at the DNC Summer Meeting today talking about a better way forward on community safety.
For too long, "tough on crime" politics have dominated the conversation on public safety. Their policies have failed communities and missed the mark on what actually makes us safe.
For too long, "tough on crime" politics have dominated the conversation on public safety. Their policies have failed communities and missed the mark on what actually makes us safe.
August 25, 2025 at 9:47 PM
We're proud to be at the DNC Summer Meeting today talking about a better way forward on community safety.
For too long, "tough on crime" politics have dominated the conversation on public safety. Their policies have failed communities and missed the mark on what actually makes us safe.
For too long, "tough on crime" politics have dominated the conversation on public safety. Their policies have failed communities and missed the mark on what actually makes us safe.
From Republicans and Democrats alike, voters are usually offered only one approach to public safety: "we need to get tough on crime."
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
August 25, 2025 at 7:20 PM
From Republicans and Democrats alike, voters are usually offered only one approach to public safety: "we need to get tough on crime."
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime:
But time and time again, our polling has shown that voters prefer when candidates talk about investing in real solutions to prevent crime: