Public Health on the Ballot: Crime and Criminal Justice
A look at where the presidential candidates stand on issues surrounding crime and criminal justice, past and present.
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From the neighborhoods we live in to the trust we place in our institutions, crime and justice shape much of our society. When crime rates rise, they bring challenges, such as increased societal fear and more pressure on public resources. Problems like mass incarceration, racial disparities, and an unfair justice system also deepen existing inequalities.
The following chart breaks down prominent crime and criminal justice policies the Trump-Pence and Biden-Harris administrations put in place while in office, as well as what the Trump-Vance and Harris-Walz administrations plan to do if elected in November.
Past Administrations
Biden-Harris (2021-2025)
- Criminal Justice Reform:
- Promoted the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which seeks to address racial disparities and enhance accountability for police practices.
- Policing Policies:
- Supported policies and programs that increase community policing tactics.
- Aimed to improve law enforcement transparency.
- Drug-Related Crime Policies:
- Shifted away from punitive measures for drug offenses.
- Promoted support for addiction treatment programs.
- Reentry and Second Chance:
- Created initiatives to improve formerly incarcerated individuals’ reintegration into society with a focus on reducing recidivism.
- Crime Rates:
- FBI data shows a decrease in violent crime—currently at a 50-year low.
- Set aside $15 billion for public safety with the American Rescue Plan.
Trump-Pence (2017-2021)
- Criminal Justice Reform:
- Helped pass the First Step Act, which provides early release opportunities for well-behaved inmates.
- Emphasized the use of risk assessment tools to determine eligibility for these programs.
- Policing Policies:
- Encouraged aggressive policing tactics.
- Reduced oversight on police accountability, particularly regarding the use of consent decrees.
- Drug-Related Crime Policies:
- Pushed to increase law enforcement efforts in addressing drug-related crimes.
- Promoted death penalty for large-scale drug traffickers.
- Reentry and Second Chance:
- Promoted job training and educational opportunities within prison to improve individual’s reentry after incarceration.
- Crime Rates:
- Issued a direct order to enforce “law and order,” which did not curb the rise in violent crime in 2020.
Future Administrations
Harris-Walz
- Criminal Justice System:
- Proposes comprehensive reforms to address systemic issues, such as police reforms.
- Use of Federal Resources:
- Commits to addressing racial disparities within the criminal justice system.
- Plans to invest in community-based programs that address crime prevention.
- Death Penalty:
- Advocates for a halt on the death penalty.
- Bail and Sentencing Reform:
- Seeks to reform the bail system and treat illegal substance use as a public health issue rather than a criminal one, reducing incarceration rates for minor offenses.
- Gun Laws:
- Supports universal background checks for all gun purchasers and advocates for a federal ban on assault weapons.
Trump-Vance
- Criminal Justice System:
- Strongly supports law enforcement, advocating for increased funding.
- Argues for harsher penalties for crimes against police officers.
- Use of Federal Resources:
- Proposes using federal resources, including the National Guard, to combat high crime areas in the U.S.
- Death Penalty:
- Advocates for imposing the death penalty on convicted drug dealers as a deterrent to serious drug-related crimes.
- Bail and Sentencing Reform:
- Plans to continue granting pardons.
- Aims to expand federal support for faith-based counseling, treatment, and recovery programs.
- Gun Laws:
- Opposes implementing gun restriction laws.
