On Friday, House Republicans and families of murdered police officers gathered in Philadelphia to criticize District Attorney Larry Krasner’s approach to crime in the city. The House Judiciary Committee hosted a hearing titled “Victims of Violent Crime in Philadelphia” at the William J. Green Jr. Federal Building in Center City.
“Don’t be surprised if you see more crime when you don’t prosecute bad guys,” remarked U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), who chairs the committee.
Krasner, who won elections in 2017 and 2021, is a polarizing figure in Pennsylvania and across the country. His election campaign promised significant reforms and transparency, coming on the heels of the scandal involving former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams, who was convicted of corruption and went to prison.
Throughout his time as DA, Krasner’s focus on criminal justice reform and reducing mass incarceration has earned applause from progressives but drawn fire from conservatives, who argue he’s too lenient on crime. Some victims’ families question if Krasner’s reformist ideals have compromised his duty to prosecute crimes.
The hearing organizers accused Krasner of implementing “pro-criminal policies” that they claim embolden criminals and come at the cost of victims and city residents. The parents and widow of Temple University Police Sergeant Christopher Fitzgerald, who was shot and killed in 2023, were among those who attended the hearing.
Joel Fitzgerald, the officer’s father, criticized Krasner, stating, “He is part of the problem. He opens that door. He creates the recidivist opportunities.” Terry O’Connor, the widow of slain Philadelphia Police Officer James O’Connor IV, shared how her life was changed forever when her husband was pronounced dead at 6:09 a.m.
During the hearing, Republicans steered discussions toward Krasner’s policies, inviting an attorney involved in Krasner’s impeachment trial. Meanwhile, Democrats invited a doctor and a representative from Philly’s anti-violence group Ceasefire. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Philadelphia) suggested that the hearing could add more confusion to public discourse.
When asked why Krasner wasn’t invited to the hearing, Rep. Jordan replied, “DA Krasner can get in front of your cameras any day. He has a forum any time he wants. We wanted to give the O’Connor family and the Fitzgerald family the chance to tell their story.”
Krasner initially commented on the hearing during a Thursday press conference, with his supporters beside him. He dismissed the hearing as a political stunt, noting it included “next to no data.” Despite his criticism, he clarified that he wasn’t targeting the family members of victims who attended the hearing, emphasizing, “I will not under any circumstance be critical of people who have suffered terrible losses.”
Krasner’s response came as the Philadelphia Police Department reported a drop in violent crime. As of Friday, 89 homicides had been reported in 2024, a 35 percent decrease from the same time last year, and the lowest year-to-date figure since 2016.
While acknowledging the reduction in crime, Krasner reminded everyone to never forget the impact on victims’ families, urging ongoing support for them. “We have to, on the one hand, be encouraged by what we see in the data,” he said. “But on the other hand, we have to never forget that there are people, even when society’s getting safer, who have suffered horrific losses. And that we have to do everything we can to respect, support, and protect them in different ways.”
