A heated confrontation unfolded in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing this week between Senator Josh Hawley and Gregory Jackson Jr., a former official in the Biden administration. The central topic was the creation of “two spirit” safe spaces aimed at reducing gun violence. Hawley, representing Missouri, did not hold back as he pressed Jackson about the policies of the Community Justice Action Fund (CJAF), where Jackson previously served as deputy director.
During the exchange, Hawley challenged a report by the CJAF titled “A Policymakers’ Playbook to Reduce Gun Violence Without Policing Communities.” According to Hawley, the report suggested defunding police and reallocating those funds to “safe space initiatives led by lesbian, gay, bisexual, two spirit, trans and gender-nonconforming people.” Showing visible frustration, he demanded clarification on the term “two spirit,” asking Jackson directly, “What’s two spirit?”
Jackson struggled to provide a clear answer. He admitted, “I don’t know exactly,” and attempted to pivot the conversation back to the report’s emphasis on violence intervention and services for victims. This deflection did not sit well with Hawley, who pressed Jackson to reconcile his advocacy for community programs with the perceived abandonment of law enforcement funding. “What is that?” he countered, expressing his confusion and demand for clarity.
As tensions escalated, Jackson remarked that he felt “like I’m looking at a two-faced individual” because of Hawley’s sharp criticism of violence reduction programs while claiming to want to curb violence. Hawley shot back, asserting, “You don’t have any solutions.” He accused Jackson of promoting nonsensical policies at the expense of police funding, further stating, “It’s all there in black and white, and your record is a disgrace.”
Amid the exchange, Jackson, who has personal experience with gun violence after being shot in 2013, raised his voice in offense. “I take offense that you would think the last 13 years were not focused on reducing violence.” However, Hawley did not relent, responding, “I take offense that you do not answer my questions.”
This clash culminated with Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley stepping in, declaring, “I don’t think we’re getting any place.” Hawley, undeterred, retorted, “Oh, I think we’ve gone a long way, senator.”
This exchange illustrates the growing intensity in discussions surrounding gun violence and the complex interplay of community safety, policing, and identity politics. While Hawley demanded transparency and accountability, Jackson’s replies reveal the challenges in articulating progressive approaches to policing and community safety. The confrontation serves as a reminder of the stark divides present in current policy debates and the emotional undercurrents that fuel them.
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