Radical Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) is facing backlash after suggesting that “housing policy” and “economic insecurity” were responsible for the brutal stabbing death of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte, North Carolina, commuter train.
Zarutska was murdered on August 22 by 34-year-old DeCarlos Brown Jr., a career criminal with at least 14 prior arrests.
Brown fatally stabbed Zarutska three times in the neck in a shocking, unprovoked attack.
Despite a lengthy rap sheet that included armed robbery, breaking and entering, and felony larceny, he had been released from prison in January on a mere “written promise” to appear in court.
“We are absolutely seeing in places across the country, I think, is an increase in emotionally-disturbed individuals on public transit,” Ocasio-Cortez told the Daily Caller.
“We are seeing a surge in homelessness.
“Many times, people descend into further stages of mental illness, increased propensity to violence, once they are in a place of homelessness.”
She added, “I think a lot of this has to do with housing policy.
“I think a lot of this has to do with economic insecurity as well.”
When pressed on whether soft-on-crime Democrat policies enabled Brown’s release, AOC dodged the question.
The New York Democrat, widely rumored to be eyeing a 2028 presidential run, expressed sorrow for Zarutska’s family but broadened her sympathy to “everyone involved,” seemingly framing the killer as a victim.
“It is so heartbreaking and horrific,” she said.
“No one should ever have to endure that kind of loss in their life.
“My heart absolutely breaks for Iryna’s family and everyone involved.”
Trump, Republicans Slam Democrat Policies
President Donald Trump blasted Democrats in North Carolina and beyond for enabling violent criminals through cashless bail and weak enforcement.
“That has become the norm in Democrat-run cities, where Radical Left policies like ‘no cash bail’ and ‘defund the police’ put depraved career criminals back on the streets,” the White House said in a statement.
North Carolina Republicans also pinned responsibility squarely on Democratic judges and prosecutors.
“A man with 14 arrests should have been locked up long before he had the chance to murder Iryna Zarutska,” Rep. Pat Harrigan (R-NC) posted on X.
“This happened because Democrat judges and DAs keep releasing violent criminals instead of protecting the public.
“Until they are removed from power, more innocent families will face the same heartbreak.”
@AGPamBondi is right to prosecute DeCarlos Brown, but it should have never reached this point. A man with 14 arrests should have been locked up long before he had the chance to murder Iryna Zarutska.
This happened because Democrat judges and DAs keep releasing violent criminals…
— Congressman Pat Harrigan (@RepPatHarrigan) September 9, 2025
The killing has become a flashpoint in the national debate over crime and public safety.
Critics argue that Zarutska’s death was entirely preventable.
Many are pointing to Democrat policies that prioritize criminals over victims and directly enabled the attack.
Zarutska’s murder has already spurred legislative action in Washington.
As Slay News previously reported, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) are spearheading the Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act, which would strip federal funds from states and cities that refuse to detain violent offenders or that implement cashless bail.
The legislation, backed by President Trump, comes directly in response to cases like Zarutska’s, where career criminals are repeatedly released until they take another innocent life.
Rep. Tim Moore (R-NC), who co-sponsored the House version of the bill, said, “Iryna Zarutska should still be alive.
“Her blood is on the hands of every single person who made it possible for this monster to walk free.”
The push underscores a growing Republican strategy to end Democrat-led bail “reforms” and restore accountability before more families suffer tragedies like Zarutska’s.
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