<p class="wp-block-paragraph">President Donald Trump on Wednesday criticized former North Carolina Democratic Governor Roy Cooper and his administration regarding crime in the state during a rally in Charlotte for Republican candidate Michael Whatley.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump highlighted Cooper’s crime record while in office, stating, “Roy Cooper and his band of communists want to take everything you have and give it to people who would rob your house, invade your border, just shoot you dead.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">During Cooper's tenure, he reached a legal settlement with civil rights groups concerning the protection of inmates from COVID-19, which led to the early release of over 3,000 inmates in February 2021. Trump claimed that some of those released included murderers, although inmates serving murder convictions were not eligible for early release. State officials acknowledged that the settlement was not limited to nonviolent offenders.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump stated, “You can either vote for Roy Cooper to set loose criminals who rape and murder your children and your population, or you can vote for Michael Whatley to protect and defend your children and your population.”</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He also referenced specific violent crimes, including the killing of Iryna Zarutska, a 23-year-old Ukrainian woman, claiming her alleged killer, Decarlos Brown Jr., was released early due to the COVID-19 settlement. However, Brown was released before the lawsuit was settled, and Cooper reportedly included prisoners released shortly before the settlement.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Trump remarked, “The animal who murdered Iryna Zarutska should never have been on your streets,” criticizing Cooper for the release policies that allowed such individuals to be on the streets.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">He further contrasted Cooper’s policies with those of Whatley, stating, “Roy Cooper wants migrant criminals like these set loose on North Carolina streets with sanctuary city policies,” while characterizing Whatley as wanting to take a tougher stance.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Additionally, Trump criticized Cooper’s response to Hurricane Helene in 2024, alleging that Cooper did little to assist affected families, while claiming he intervened to help after Whatley reached out.</p>
<p class="wp-block-paragraph">Whatley and Cooper are competing to succeed retiring Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), with the race currently rated as “leans Democrat” by the Cook Political Report, and Cooper maintaining a lead in several polls.</p>