Tucker Carlson Thursday night ripped Tennessee’s governor for what he sees as soft-on-crime policies in the wake of a murderous rampage that left four dead in Memphis.
“So this happened in a city that is collapsing due to violence,” Carlson said on his show “Tucker Carlson Tonight.” “Memphis set an all time record for homicides last year. Earlier this week, a woman called Eliza Fletcher, as you know, was kidnapped and murdered while she was out for a jog in her neighborhood. Her killer had just gotten out of jail on a kidnapping charge. He was let out years early. So, he got out and committed the same crime, this time with murder.”
“So, why is this happening?” Carlson asked rhetorically. “Well, there are a number of reasons. Here’s one: the governor of Tennessee – believe it or not is a Republican – called Bill Lee ran on a platform of criminal justice reform. That means letting violent people out of prison early. In pursuit of that effort he recently declined to endorse a so-called ‘truth in sentencing’ bill which would have required people convicted of violent crimes to serve their sentences. As Lee said last year, quote, ‘There are too many people in prison who don’t need to be there.'”
Carlson later referred to the Republican governor as a “liberal.”
The “truth in sentencing” bill ended up becoming law without Lee’s signature in May. It took effect on July 1.
“Similar legislation has been enacted before and resulted in significant operational and financial strain, with no reduction in crime,” Lee said in a letter to House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville) at the time. “Widespread evidence suggests that this policy will result in more victims, higher recidivism, increased crime and prison overcrowding, all with an increased cost to taxpayers.”
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, a Democrat, broke with Lee and many members of his party in supporting the legislation.
Lee on Friday took a hardline stance against crime, saying that crime prevention is his top priority, and that violent offenders will be held accountable.
“Memphis has seen the face of evil. Innocent lives have been taken & violent criminals will be held accountable,” he said. This is why Proven Crime Prevention is our top priority. Law enforcement has our full support, & we’ve stiffened penalties & supervision for violent offenders.”
Lee’s office could not be reached Friday for comment.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Tucker Carlson” by Tucker Carlson Tonight. Photo “Bill Lee” by Gov. Bill Lee. Background Photo “Memphis Skyline” by Thomas R Machnitzki. CC BY 3.0.
The only good thing I can say about Lee is that at least he’s not a Democrat. He reminds me of Pence.
He’s a thino like Blackburn and Hagerty. Watch them!
But he is, in reality, a Democrat.
Once Randy Boyd was out of the 2018 race the GOP/East TN mafia run by the Haslam’s co-opted Lee. He was the annointed one. And look at the grifter Boyd, he’s run the TN Univ system into the woke sewer. Our super majority GOP legislature is useless and are cowards. We have nothing more than a milk toast GOp administration, supreme court and legislature.
Back in 2017 a gal I knew was a neighbor of Lee and she warned her circle of friends that Lee was not a good person. I didn’t vote for him then and won’t be voting for him this time.
Unfortunately due to TN’s open primary it’s almost impossible to elect a true conservative state wide. The Dems all crossover and vote in the GOP primary.
If you haven’t noticed TN is turning purple. Better get busy people.
For over 45 years I have traveled through Memphis it’s always been a crap holed.
Amen
There are bulls and there are steers, bill Lee is definitely a steer. I will never vote for a RINO.
Lee is an example of what money can buy. The guy was a loser from the git go but the legislators ae not much (if any) better.
Governor Lee is looking more and more like Phil Scott, the (democrat in republican clothing) governor of The Socialist Republic of
Vermont. I too am so disappointed that there was no republican primary in Tennessee.
I regret voting for Lee. I really wish Diana Black would have run in a primary against him, this time she would have won.
Lee looks and acts like a RINO and is in fact a RINO!
I am no fan of Governor Lee. Didn’t vote for him the first time and will not be voting for him in 2022. I voted for an Independent candidate and I will be voting for John Gentry in 2022. But the complacent voters in Tennessee will vote him in for another 4 years. I knew he was bad for TN 4 years ago and he has never done anything to change my mind.
Wow us this the same Governor Bill Lee that opposed constitutional carry of firearms in Tennessee for honest law abiding Tennesseans? Now he wants to let violent criminals out if prison early to hurt more innocent Tennesseans! Bill Lee is disgraceful and should resign from governor! He care more about criminals than honest hardworking Tennesseans!
Bill Lee s out of touch with hardworking Tennesseans! He has made himself irrelevant with the discussion of crime deterrence and punishment! Lee has exposed himself to be a real closet liberal! We need to vote him out of office immediately! People in Tennessee should feel safe and Not afraid! Disappointed in Bill Lee in Tennessee!
Bill Lee is out if touch with Tennesseans. I hope the legislature will not let him have any input on the new criminal enhancements! Lee will not be relevant over the next 4years! Leaders in the Tennessee house and senate will be ready Ning the state not RINO Bill Lee.
I wish the Tennessee Star would publish the names of the house and senate members that opposed the Truth in Sentencing Laws! Even the liberal Memphis Mayor did not attend Bill Lee’s press conference on crime in Memphis yesterday! I did not see one elected official there! Bill Lee has become irrelevant as a leader!
Lee is one tiny step better than a Democrat opponent. We need a courageous conservative, and he isn’t one.
Lee, four gone
Nah, the complacent TN voter will elect him again. I didn’t vote for him the first time and will not be voting for him in 2022. My vote will go to John Gentry.
Truth. Bill Lee has been a huge disappointment as TN’s Governor. I’m appalled that he ran unopposed for this next election. What’s wrong with TN’s GOP?
I would agree Mary, Lee is leaving TN vulnerable to a Democrat taking the governor’s seat. He and the current GOP leadership are weak. And unfortunately disappearing Andy will probably join the ranks of the cowardly Marsha Blackburn.
Anyone that ever talked about running against him eventually decided not to run against him. WHY? It is my feeling anyone that even thought about running against him got a visit from someone that convinced them not to run. I took a ton of heat because I refused to vote for him but I was right then and I will not vote for him in November either. I am voting for John Gentry. But the complacent TN voter will put Lee in office again.
More like what’s wrong with so many Republican voters who are content to have the GOP serve as a shill for the Chamber of Commerce rather than as a vigorous conservative political party.