A recent advertisement by Preserve America PAC, a pro-Trump group, features a former police officer who was injured during the 2020 riots. The ad accuses Vice President Kamala Harris of supporting the rioters, raising millions to bail them out of jail, and advocating for defunding the police, suggesting these actions contributed to increased safety concerns. However, a closer examination reveals several misleading and inaccurate claims in the ad, according to a report by The Washington Post. 

"Four years ago, in this alley, rioters threw a brick at my face and knocked out my teeth. Why? Because I was a police officer. And what did Kamala Harris do? While America’s cities were burning, Kamala was defending peaceful protests. She raised millions to help bail rioters out of jail. And supported defunding our police, making us all less safe. Kamala Harris is dangerous," said Scott Creighton, retired Minneapolis police officer, in an ad released by the pro-Trump group Preserve America PAC on September 12.

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The ad accuses Harris of defending violent rioters during the unrest that followed the death of George Floyd in May 2020. The former officer, identified as having been injured by a brick thrown during the riots, asserts that Harris's actions exacerbated the chaos.

In reality, according to the Washington Post, Harris did support the right to peaceful protest but explicitly condemned violence and looting. Her statements during the riots aimed to differentiate between lawful demonstrators and those engaging in criminal activities. For instance, after looting erupted in Kenosha, Wisconsin, Harris stated, "We must always defend peaceful protest and peaceful protesters" while condemning violence and criminal behavior.

Bail fund controversy

The ad also claims Harris raised millions to help bail out rioters. This refers to a tweet Harris sent on June 2, 2020, encouraging donations to the Minnesota Freedom Fund (MFF), a bail fund for those protesting in Minnesota.

“She raised millions to help bail rioters out of jail.”

While the MFF did experience a surge in donations, including from prominent figures, there is no evidence that Harris personally bailed anyone out or had direct involvement with the fund's operations.

Moreover, according to records from the American Bail Coalition and Hennepin County jail, most of the individuals arrested during the protests had minimal or no bail requirements. The claim that Harris’ tweet led to a significant number of bailouts lacks verification.

Defunding the police

The ad further criticizes Harris for allegedly supporting the “defund the police” movement. This characterization is misleading. Harris, a former prosecutor, never endorsed defunding police departments. Instead, she advocated for a reimagining of public safety, emphasizing the need to address systemic issues and better allocate resources to support mental health services, education, and community needs.

"And supported defunding our police, making us all less safe."

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According to The Washington Post, this approach was intended to enhance overall public safety, not to eliminate police funding entirely. Harris's rhetoric about reevaluating police budgets and improving social services was often misinterpreted as supporting defunding, but her actual stance was more nuanced and focused on systemic reform.

The Preserve America PAC ad distorts the truth by presenting a selective and inaccurate portrayal of Kamala Harris's positions and actions, The Washington Post reported. Harris's support for peaceful protests and her call for systemic reforms were misrepresented, while claims about her involvement with the Minnesota Freedom Fund and the defunding of police were either exaggerated or mischaracterized. The ad’s misleading nature has drawn significant criticism, and its factual inaccuracies undermine the credibility of its allegations.