Congressman Greg Casar, widely associated with “The Squad,” is facing heat after requesting a police patrol at his home from the same department he helped to defund as a city council member and dubbed “racist” just last week.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism and is being labeled as “hypocrisy” by many. The Austin Police Retired Officers Association took to X to call out Casar’s actions, stating, “Maybe he should hire private security like his fellow squad members do. Sure seems like he wants the police in his neighborhood just not yours.”
According to sources, Casar’s request for security was made through the United States Capitol Police in Washington, D.C., and subsequently forwarded to the Austin Police Department. This has sparked a debate on social media, with many questioning Casar’s behavior and labeling him a “fraud.”
Casar was a major proponent of defunding the Austin Police Department in 2020 while serving on the city council. The move led to a reduction in the department’s budget by over $100 million, and it was further reinvested into community safety and well-being initiatives. However, this led to a severe shortage of police officers and a wave of retirements, which critics say the city is still reeling from.
In a post on X in August 2020, Casar celebrated the success of the budget cut, stating, “Austin City Council just reduced APD’s budget by over $100 million *and* reinvested resources into our community’s safety and well-being.”
Progressive Dem Greg Casar who defunded Austin Police ripped for requesting police patrols at home: ‘Height of hypocrisy’. Rep. Casar voted to defund the Austin Police Department as a city council member in 2020.
https://t.co/dzADXoPyF7 #FoxNews— johnnyk2000 (@johnnyk20001) December 20, 2023
Just last week, Casar sent a letter to the Justice Department, criticizing practices within the Austin Police Department and highlighting the “need for systemic reforms to the Department’s policies and practices of excessive and lethal use of force, racial discrimination, and discrimination against people with mental health conditions.”
The news of Casar’s request for extra security has sparked a strong reaction from Austin residents, who see it as a grave example of hypocrisy. Many have taken to social media to express their outrage, with some stating that Casar should employ private security like his fellow squad members if he has concerns about his safety.
Dennis Farris, president of the Austin Police Retired Officers Association, expressed his concerns about Casar’s actions, stating that while they are willing to provide extra protection if there is a credible threat, the request is the “height of hypocrisy.” He also stated that Casar is responsible for instigating the defunding movement, which has put the city in its current predicament.
Casar’s office, however, has refused to comment on the matter, citing that it does “not comment on active security matters related to the Congressman.” They have also stated that their office has not been in communication with the Austin Police Department as these matters are handled by the United States Sergeant at Arms, who then works with U.S. Capitol Police and local law enforcement agencies.
We did it!! Austin City Council just reduced APD’s budget by over $100 million *and* reinvested resources into our community’s safety and well-being. Tens of thousands of you have called, emailed, and testified. You made the impossible into a reality. #blacklivesmatter pic.twitter.com/trrYSDEOK6
— Greg Casar (@GregCasar) August 13, 2020
Austin Police Department has also responded to the request, stating that they are “aware of the request made by Representative Greg Casar” and “takes all public safety concerns seriously.” However, they have also emphasized the need to maintain confidentiality for security reasons.
In a statement, the U.S. House Sergeant at Arms has reiterated the importance of keeping sensitive information confidential, stating, “We ask the public and law enforcement agencies to not comment on specific security measures or active cases because doing so exposes potential vulnerabilities.”
This incident has once again brought the debate on police funding and community safety to the forefront. It remains to be seen how Casar will address the backlash and if it will have any impact on the ongoing discussions surrounding the Austin Police Department.