Democrats appear prepared to use the power the Supreme Court just gave them to crack down on homeless encampments — a notable departure from more humanitarian-focused approaches previously pushed by the party.
This month’s decision in Grants Pass, Oregon v. Gloria Johnson allows cities to criminally prosecute people for sleeping outside even if they have nowhere else to go. And although some progressives came out against the ruling, many of the leaders pushing for the ability to break up encampments were Democrats, showing just how much the politics of homelessness and crime have changed within the party.
If progressive politicians continue to back off on left-leaning solutions to crime and homelessness, it could carry big changes for residents and the broader Democratic Party.