Staff Reports
PolitiFact, the well-known fact-checking organization, is under attack for admitting that Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg routinely downgrades the majority of felony charges brought forth by his office. However, they frame his behavior as “common” among New York prosecutors, drawing backlash from Republicans.
PolitiFact Gets Raked for Saying Bragg's Downgrading of Felonies is "Common" https://t.co/KhSQeJhvGD
— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) April 12, 2023
Bragg, who took office in 2021, has come under fire from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who claimed that he downgraded 52 percent of all felony charges. However, PolitiFact has responded by saying that this behavior is not uncommon amongst Bragg’s peers. Supporters of DeSantis were quick to criticize PolitiFact, with Mark Hemingway, senior writer for RealClearInvestigations, tweeting, “PolitiFact’s rulings start to make sense when you realize it is a political disinformation organization for Democrats.”
Yes, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg has downgraded felonies as Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said, but it’s a common practice among peer counties. https://t.co/To8hRQb0iV
— PolitiFact (@PolitiFact) April 11, 2023
Yes, @GovRonDeSantis was correct. But @PolitiFact feels compelled to note it's simply "common practice" to refuse to hold criminals accountable in NY. https://t.co/b1orfgIFmL
— Bryan Griffin (@BryanDGriffin) April 11, 2023
"We regret to inform you that Gov. Ron DeSantis of Florida is correct." https://t.co/jXx3ekBiop
— Joe Cunningham (@JoePCunningham) April 11, 2023
Most of our public safety problems in Minnesota and nationally would be solved by judges and prosecutors enforcing sentences pursuant to state law.
Insane that it's become "common practice" for half of felonies to be downgraded. #mnleg https://t.co/L9CxaRtPns
— Andrew Wagner (@andrewwagner) April 11, 2023
PolitiFact’s own data shows that three of New York’s boroughs have similarly high rates of downgrading felonies as Bragg. In 2022, 52 percent of felony charges were reduced to misdemeanors, with 54 percent already downgraded in 2024.
Republicans have come to President Donald Trump’s defense since the Manhattan DA upgraded misdemeanor charges against him to felonies. DeSantis, in fact, accused Bragg of being a “Soros-funded prosecutor” who is “weaponizing” his office to push a political agenda at the expense of the rule of law and public safety.
President Trump himself has spoken out about his experience being arraigned in Manhattan District Court, claiming that staff were crying and apologizing for his arrest. His case revolves around allegations that he falsified business records to conceal payment of $130,000 to an adult film star to cover up an affair just days ahead of the 2016 presidential election. Trump has pleaded not guilty to 34 felony charges.
While Democrats and the liberal media continue to attack President Trump, conservatives are standing strong and fighting back against biased fact-checkers like PolitiFact, who seem determined to defend leftist prosecutors like Bragg at all costs.
