Larry Krasner prepares Philly for possible National Guard "invasion"
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner (middle). Photo: Drew Hallowell/Getty Images
The first stop of Larry Krasner's town hall tour ended in a song.
- "This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine," the packed congregation belted at Philly's Salt & Light Church on Tuesday night.
Why it matters: The Democratic district attorney's "Be the Light, Bring the Light" tour is a warning about President Trump possibly sending in the National Guard and doubles as a rallying cry for local resistance.
The big picture: Krasner is hosting three nights of town halls in response to Trump sending troops into Washington, D.C., and threatening that Democrat-led cities like Chicago could be next.
- It's part of the president's effort to crack down on crime across the country — which now includes Memphis, as of earlier this week.
- Gov. Josh Shapiro has already said his administration is preparing for the possibility of the National Guard being deployed to Philly.
Zoom in: Invoking Martin Luther King Jr.'s philosophy of nonviolent resistance, Krasner encouraged residents to push back against what he called an authoritarian "invasion."
- He urged residents to use cellphones to document troop activity or any potential civil rights violations.
- A new federal accountability unit will field calls and tips from residents about possible abuses of power, Krasner said.
The intrigue: Krasner didn't answer Axios' questions about whether his office is preparing a potential legal response — similar to D.C.
- He told Axios his office's focus is on holding anyone accountable for crimes that threaten Philadelphians' freedoms.
- Activists and law firms are likely mobilizing behind the scenes, he said.
The big picture: Krasner — who's seeking a third term in November's election — has cast himself as a counterweight to Trump and has long been vocal against the president's policies.
- Krasner's broadsides contrast with the approach from Mayor Cherelle Parker, who has mostly avoided publicly criticizing Trump.
Meanwhile, several Philadelphia City Council members are joining Krasner's call to action.
- Councilmember Kendra Brooks said she's planning sessions to train residents on how to become active bystanders during National Guard deployment or immigration raids, WHYY reports.
What they're saying: Krasner on Tuesday highlighted that Philadelphia is on track to record its fewest homicides in five decades — and dismissed Trump as being the "real emergency."
Inside the room: His address was interrupted after he made comments comparing Trump and his supporters to "fascists." Frank Scales, a 22-year-old South Philly resident, shouted down Krasner as several churchgoers booed back.
- Krasner used the moment to denounce people who want to shut down speech they don't agree with.
- Scales left the church shortly after and told Axios he viewed the comments as inappropriate following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The bottom line: "It is absolutely necessary to recognize the times we are in," Krasner said, "to not be appeasers, to not stand by, to not let people take over everything that the ... city believes in."
What's ahead: Krasner hosts his last town hall Thursday at 6pm at Mother Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church.