South Carolina Senator Tim Scott criticized the city of Chicago and its leadership during Monday’s Republican National Convention, attributing educational shortcomings and gun violence to Democratic Party control.
“America isn’t a racist country,” Scott declared in his speech. “If you are looking for racism today, you find it in cities run by Democrats. Look on the South Side of Chicago. Poor Black kids, trapped in failing schools. Thousands shot every single year, including one of my former interns.”
CBS News reported that DaQuawn Bruce, a former intern of Scott, was hit by a stray bullet shortly after his internship ended in August 2018. The bullet fractured his pelvis, requiring him to relearn how to walk, and GoFundMe campaigns were launched to support his recovery.
Scott’s comments come as Chicago experiences reductions in murder, sexual assault, motor vehicle theft, and overall shootings this year compared to last.
According to the latest data from Chicago police, shooting incidents are down 3% year-over-year and have decreased by 27% from peak levels in 2021. Murders have also dropped 8% year-over-year and are down 22% since 2021.
Illinois delegates at the Republican National Convention expressed unity and support for former President Donald Trump as he prepared to accept the party’s nomination. Mary Ann Ahern provided live updates from Milwaukee.
Statista reports that Illinois has recorded 14.4 gun deaths per 100,000 residents this year. Mississippi has the highest rate in the nation at 29.7 deaths per 100,000 residents, while South Carolina, Scott’s home state, ranks ninth with 21.3 deaths per 100,000 residents.
Scott argued that Trump’s and the Republican Party’s values could bring new hope to cities across the U.S.
“There’s good news: it’s conservative values that restore hope. It’s Republican policies that lift people up,” he stated.
Scott was one of four finalists considered by Trump for the vice presidential nomination before Ohio Senator JD Vance was ultimately chosen on Monday.