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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy delivered an even stronger message, making it clear the Trump administration is prepared to hold local leaders accountable for public safety failures.
“I stand firm with President Trump’s message of zero tolerance for criminality, especially on our federal DOT funded public transportation. If mayors can’t keep their trains and buses safe, they don’t deserve the taxpayers’ money,” Duffy posted on X.
He later added, “@USDOT will be investigating Charlotte over its failure to protect Iryna Zarutska. And we will also be looking at other crime ridden cities across the country.”
Duffy also shared the heartbreaking words of one Charlotte resident who said, “I don’t feel safe on public transportation. But, I have to work.” Duffy responded firmly: “No American should be put in that position and the Trump administration will do everything in its power to change that.”
The Transportation Secretary didn’t hold back when pointing the finger at left-wing policies, saying, “Leftist policies allowing rampant crime are EVIL.”
“Iryna Zarutska would still be here today had her killer, who was previously arrested 14 times, remained LOCKED UP. The absolute lawlessness infesting public transit is unacceptable. Under @POTUS’ leadership, the Trump administration is going to CLEAN IT UP,” Duffy added.
Criticism also fell on Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles after she issued a statement many felt prioritized the attacker over the victim. Lyles claimed the tragedy “sheds light on problems with society safety nets related to mental healthcare,” adding the suspect had “long struggled with mental health” and appeared to suffer a “crisis.”
Her remarks struck many as tone-deaf, given the brutal nature of the crime and the suspect’s lengthy arrest record.
Former President Donald Trump himself weighed in, expressing outrage at both the attack and the lack of media attention.
“I have seen the horrific video of a beautiful, young Ukrainian refugee, who came to America to escape the vicious War in Ukraine, and was innocently riding the Metro in Charlotte, North Carolina, where she was brutally ambushed by a mentally deranged lunatic,” Trump posted on Truth Social.
He also blasted Democrat policies that allowed the suspect back on the streets. “The perpetrator was a well known career criminal, who had been previously arrested and released on CASHLESS BAIL in January, a total of 14 TIMES. What the hell was he doing riding the train, and walking the streets? Criminals like this need to be LOCKED UP,” Trump wrote, adding, “The blood of this innocent woman… is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail.”
Trump ended his post by questioning why mainstream outlets were silent: “Additionally, where is the outrage from the Mainstream Media on this horrible tragedy?”
