Alvin Bragg faced a challenging predicament.
In August 2022, news broke that two individuals had been shot in a robbery attempt in Manhattan’s Washington Heights neighborhood. Shockingly, one of the victims was an innocent bystander who sustained a gunshot wound to the head. The incident sent shockwaves through the community and raised concerns about the rising crime rates in the area.
Amidst the surge of post-pandemic crime in the city, Bragg, who was elected as a reformist prosecutor, faced a crisis. Despite his critics painting him as soft on crime, the situation posed a significant challenge for him.
“We still have a lot of work ahead of us,” Bragg emphasized during an interview in his office on Friday with ABC News. “Our goal is to return to the levels we had before the pandemic, and fortunately, the data is showing positive signs. It’s moving in the right direction, but there’s still more progress to be made.”
Sitting in his office, Bragg made no mention of his upcoming prosecution, which would be one of his most notable cases. The trial for the 34-count indictment against former President Donald Trump was scheduled to begin in just three days.
The former president, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, has criticized Bragg for bringing the case. He accuses the DA of being “lazy on violent crime” and labels him as a “radical liberal New York prosecutor who refuses to prosecute violent criminals.”
‘Things speak for themselves’
Ever since Bragg took office, he has encountered criticism for his unconventional approach to law enforcement. On his very first day, he implemented a policy that refrained from prosecuting certain offenses and restricted the use of incarceration. However, with each subsequent incident of violent crime, opposition to Bragg’s methods has intensified.
Since 2021, Bragg and his colleagues at the New York Police Department have been witnessing promising outcomes in their efforts to combat crime. The statistics speak for themselves – shootings in Manhattan have decreased by an impressive 38%, and homicides have seen a significant drop of 21%.
Bragg expressed his belief that his record speaks for itself. He acknowledged that sometimes the reporting schedule can overshadow the investigatory schedule, leading to potential information gaps.
‘The right thing for the right reason’
Throughout his campaign appearances and on various social media platforms, Trump has consistently targeted Bragg by emphasizing the issue of crime in New York.
“We witness violent criminals taking innocent lives, ruthlessly murdering and causing havoc. Drug dealers roam freely, spreading their illicit trade with impunity,” exclaimed Trump in frustration during a recent hearing in the criminal case. “Yet they relentlessly pursue Trump, despite the absence of any wrongdoing.”
Bragg, when asked about Trump’s criticisms on Friday, chose not to address them directly. He cited his office’s policy of not discussing active cases as the reason for his silence. However, he emphasized that his prosecution of the former president does not hinder or affect the other work being carried out by his office.
According to Bragg, it would not be appropriate to discuss any specific defendant or ongoing case. However, he did highlight the dedication of the 1,500 public servants who work diligently each day to ensure justice is served. Bragg also mentioned the increase in prosecutions for gun-related offenses and hate crimes, indicating a focus on addressing these pressing issues.
On Monday, Bragg and his team of prosecutors will find themselves in the midst of what could be considered one of the most significant trials in American history. They have charged the former president of the United States with the act of falsifying business records in an attempt to hide crucial information from the public. Bragg holds the distinction of being the first prosecutor to bring criminal charges against a sitting or former U.S. president.
“I have been exercising independent prosecutorial discretion for over 20 years,” stated Bragg, reflecting on his extensive record of public service. This includes notable positions at the U.S. Attorney’s office for the Southern District of New York and the New York Attorney General’s office.
Many of his friends and colleagues consider Bragg to be the ideal person to pursue the unprecedented case against Trump.
“This is an extraordinary moment,” expressed Randall Jackson, a partner at Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz who had previously served as a federal prosecutor alongside Bragg. “Alvin is someone who possesses a strong commitment to public service, a passion that has guided him throughout his entire career.”
‘Follow the facts’
Just two weeks prior to his office accusing Trump of 34 felony charges, Bragg made an announcement about an indictment connected to the Washington Heights shooting. In this case, he applied the same methods as he does for white collar crimes.
“We were aware that someone had a significant role in promoting violence, but we lacked the necessary evidence to pursue a gun-trafficking case,” Bragg explained. However, our investigators did observe the same individual discussing a distinct plan on social media, involving the theft of tax and stimulus checks from mail deliveries.”
Prosecutors obtained a warrant for the suspect’s Instagram account, where he discussed his plan to steal checks, deposit the money, and withdraw it without arousing suspicion of fraud. Bragg explained that the prosecutors diligently collected evidence and secured a search warrant for the suspect’s apartment. During the search, law enforcement officers discovered a firearm.
The weapon was later proven to have fired those shots in Washington Heights in August 2022, according to ballistic tests.
Shortly after, the individual faced an indictment. The charges were not limited to the alleged theft of more than $800,000 in checks; there was also an accusation of attempted murder.
According to Bragg, one of the challenges he faces is changing the perception of crime among New Yorkers, especially those living in safe neighborhoods. He aims to convince them that crime numbers are actually decreasing.
Bragg emphasized that the communities with a history of high shootings are aware of the decrease in such incidents. However, he acknowledged that certain areas of the borough may not have experienced the same progress.
The District Attorney emphasized the importance of not only reducing these numbers but also ensuring that people feel the impact of these efforts.
