TBV Does Not Support Defunding the Police

A recent ad from Eric Schmitt’s campaign claimed that Trudy Busch Valentine wanted to defund the police. However, Valentine has said since the beginning of her campaign that this is the place where she disagrees with the Democratic Party the most. Eric Schmitt using the words of other prominent Democrats in Missouri against Valentine is meant to confuse voters, but we’re much smarter than Eric Schmitt. Let’s look at what Trudy Busch Valentine actually believes when it comes to defunding the police.

Schmitt's ad has made it's way to national news, with the Washington Post fact checking the ad. Valentine shared the article on Twitter, as well as the Washington Post's 4 Pinocchio rating given to the ad.

In response to Schmitt’s ad, Valentine put out her own, which is meant to clarify her position on defunding the police. To be clear, Valentine does not support defunding the police. In her first interview as a declared candidate, she told the Missouri Independent, “I think defunding the police is totally wrong because we need to be funding the police with the money and training they need to keep all of us safe.”

While it’s true that St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones and Congresswoman Cori Bush (who appear in Schmitt’s attack ad) are in favor of defunding the police and have taken action to accomplish that, Valentine does not align with that ideology. She may be the Democratic candidate, but that doesn’t mean she agrees with everything other Democrats believe in. This is one of those cases. In her interview with the Missouri Independent, Valentine said that defunding the police is the issue that she disagrees with the Democratic Party on.

Valentine has reiterated her position throughout her campaign. In an interview with KTVO in late July, Valentine was asked about her position on defunding the police. She said,

“I am not for defunding the police. I think the police need to be more funded, better wages, much more education, much more understanding of what’s going on in their communities and helping their communities. I am for police and law enforcement. I am also for keeping kids out of trouble and for people being around them who can be good role models.”

Valentine also repeated her position on social media following the release of Schmitt’s ad. She said on Facebook, “I think defunding the police is totally wrong—we need to be investing in police, and giving them the resources and training they need to keep all of us safe.” On Twitter, she stated, “It’s a shame that yet again career politician Eric Schmitt has chosen to continue his sad pattern of lying to Missouri voters—this time lying about my support for law enforcement. We deserve a Senator who will lead with honesty and integrity, not a habitual liar.”

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