Trump also pointed fingers at former Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, now a Senate candidate in the key 2026 North Carolina race, suggesting that the outcome could influence whether Republicans maintain control of the chamber.
The Charlotte murder comes as part of Trump’s broader focus this summer on highlighting violent crimes in Democrat-led cities, coinciding with his efforts to deploy federal law enforcement into urban areas.
Brown, who is Black, was arrested shortly after the stabbing and charged with first-degree murder. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice also charged him with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.
According to police records, Brown has a long criminal history, having been arrested 14 times over the past 12 years. Many of these previous arrests involved violent offenses, raising questions about why he was not kept in custody.
The incident has reignited debates over public safety and criminal justice policies, with critics pointing to repeated arrests as evidence that stronger measures may be needed to prevent violent crimes. Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding Zarutska’s tragic death and the timeline leading up to Brown’s apprehension.
