Cato Podcast

Capital Punishments

35 snips
Aug 21, 2025
Clark Neily, Senior VP for legal studies at Cato, brings his expertise in police accountability to the discussion alongside Marian Tupy, Founder of humanprogress.org. They delve into the implications of increased federal law enforcement in D.C. amid rising crime and explore the resurgence of socialism in urban politics, particularly in New York. The conversation critiques the effectiveness of police during this surge and emphasizes the need for community trust in law enforcement while highlighting the clash between free market ideologies and socialist proposals.
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INSIGHT

Federal Takeover Is Legally Plausible

  • The president's legal claim over DC police under the Home Rule Act is legally plausible but untested.
  • Clark Neily expects courts to be deferential and likely uphold some federal control if litigated.
INSIGHT

Surge Policing Often Just Displaces Crime

  • Flooding an area with federal agents or troops usually produces displacement, not net crime reduction.
  • Clark Neily calls the operation mostly a 'dog and pony show' unlikely to sustainably cut crime.
INSIGHT

DC Guard's Unique Legal Role

  • The DC National Guard occupies a unique legal status because the president commands it like a governor.
  • That legal posture allows armed Guardsmen in support roles without triggering Posse Comitatus limits, creating novel risks.
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