Trump Accuses Harris of Responsibility for Controversial Shoplifting Law

Former President Donald Trump frequently blames Vice President Kamala Harris for a California law he contends facilitates shoplifting of up to $950 in goods without repercussions. He aims to cast her as an ally of the “radical left” by criticizing her stance on criminal justice issues.

In numerous recent campaign events and press gatherings, Trump, along with prominent Republicans, has portrayed Harris as ineffective on crime, attributing blame for California’s Proposition 47. This legislation declassifies the theft of items valued at $950 or less as a misdemeanor, rather than a felony.

“She came up with a great idea. You can steal as much as you want up to $950, and nothing happens to you,” Trump remarked earlier this month at a meeting of the Fraternal Order of Police in Charlotte, North Carolina.

This assertion from Trump skews the facts by exaggerating Harris’ involvement in the legislation. When Proposition 47 was enacted, Harris, serving as California’s attorney general, played a part in drafting the initiative’s final title and summary. She confirmed the proposition had gathered enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. However, Harris did not participate in the law’s drafting or its passage and maintained a neutral stance throughout the process, according to reports from The Mercury News and SFGate.

Proposition 47 emerged as a ballot initiative after a 2011 Supreme Court decision mandated California to alleviate its prison overcrowding. California voters ratified the measure in 2014.

Previously, theft of items priced up to $950 was classified as a misdemeanor under state law. In certain instances, these acts were even charged as felonies if categorized as burglary. With the passing of Proposition 47, shoplifters with prior serious or violent convictions face county jail rather than state prison sentences, with the goal of conserving taxpayer resources. Those convicted of misdemeanor shoplifting may still encounter penalties, including up to six months in jail and fines reaching $1,000.

Back in 2010, when Arnold Schwarzenegger served as California’s Republican governor and before Harris took on the role of attorney general, California lawmakers passed Assembly Bill 2372, elevating the threshold for grand theft to $950 from its previous $400, an adjustment made to account for inflation.

Notably, the threshold set by Proposition 47 is lower than those in many other states, including Republican-led states like Arkansas, Nebraska, and Texas, which classify theft of $2,500 worth of goods as a felony. According to the World Population Review, an independent organization dedicated to data analysis, more than half of all states maintain higher theft thresholds than California.

However, unlike California’s approach, other states empower prosecutors to upgrade charges against repeat lower-level offenders to felonies.

Trump has consistently criticized Harris’ tenure as a prosecutor as both she and he strive to appeal to voters anxious about crime. Recent polling data suggests that crime remains a pivotal issue for many voters, with CBS News indicating that 63% of registered voters surveyed deem it a significant factor influencing their decisions in the presidential election.