Philly DA Krasner Gets Praise, Scorn As He Seeks Third Term

Larry Krasner has been district attorney during the single greatest spike in violence in Philadelphia history, and now, amid its steepest decline. He has drawn national attention as a progressive who expanded a unit that has won the release of 50 people believed to be wrongfully incarcerated, charged police officers with murder and other crimes, and launched a restorative justice program. Members of Philadelphia’s Black clergy, a population at the center of the criminal justice reform movement, said Krasner is more accessible than his predecessors, and has worked to repair the at-times fractious relationship between the office and community. The Rev. Damone Jones, who mentors teens accused of violent crimes, calls Krasner “the best DA Black Philadelphians have had in a long time.”

Over the last eight years, he’s also been a polarizing figure, drawing criticism for his handling of retail theft and illegal gun possession cases, and for his management of an office that has seen a steep decline in the number of veteran prosecutors on staff, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer. His detractors say he has let dangerous people out on bail, and they've committed new crimes. He has feuded wit Republicans, judges, and even members of his own party — conflict driven, in part, by his brash nature. “I’m direct,” he said. “I believe people should say true things.” His opponent in the current race says the former defense lawyer’s “soft on crime” approach has created a sense of lawlessness in the city. Harrisburg Republicans, with the cooperation of some Democrats, led a drive to impeach him, and unsuccessfully sought to remove him and strip his office of power.  He’s attracted national scorn from President Trump and his billionaire adviser Elon Musk — who has vowed to target progressive DAs like Krasner. Krasner, 64, said he loves his job and wants to do it for another four years.