President Trump asked a sheriff if he’d like to “destroy” the career of a state senator who wants to reform civil asset forfeiture laws in Texas to the chagrin of the sheriff.
Sheriff Harold Eavenson, of Rockwell County, Texas, told Trump in a meeting with county sheriffs that he was frustrated by a state senator’s efforts to prohibit civil asset forfeiture without a criminal conviction. Civil asset forfeiture allows the government to take money, homes, cars and other possessions they deem were obtained with money generated by criminal activity.
Sheriff tells Trump that state senator is doing something he doesn't likeTrump: "Do you want to give his name? We'll destroy his career." pic.twitter.com/75y3t9zc54— Steve Kopack (@SteveKopack) February 7, 2017
Trump asked “can you believe that?” and then offered Eavenson a chance to give the state senator’s name.
“Want to give his name? We’ll destroy his career,” Trump said.
Eavenson declined. Many people in the room laughed.
Civil asset forfeiture has been seen as an area of possible bipartisan reform over concerns that police are improperly seizing property from private citizens. The process allows the police to either keep or sell the items to raise money for the department.
Critics say civil asset forfeiture can motivate police to accuse people of crimes without much evidence in order to seize their property and sell it to fund their department. Proponents believe it’s a necessary way to fight drug dealers and other criminals.
