Congressman Carter Statement on Rittenhouse Trial Verdict

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. issued the following statement regarding the Rittenhouse Trial verdict:  
 
“Today’s verdict confirmed what we already know, and what has been proven time and time again; America’s criminal justice system is deeply flawed.  
 
This verdict is a reminder that we are not a nation where every American is treated with fairness and dignity under the law, because the law was not made to ensure equal treatment. 
 
In August 2020, members of the Kenosha community were peacefully protesting following the shooting of Black community member, Jacob Blake, by a white officer when Kyle Rittenhouse crossed the border, killed unarmed Joseph Rosenbaum, Anthony Huber, wounded Gaige Grosskreutz, and today walks away free. Today, the system failed to deliver justice to those that assembled in protest of that act of police brutality and those that lost their lives at the hands of a dangerous and reckless Rittenhouse. 
 
Lenient self-defense laws, and a courtroom overrun with highly concerning actions, resulted in a lack of accountability and sends an unacceptable message that celebrates vigilantism.
 
The stark contrast in the outcomes of this case and in cases were Black and Brown people are in similar circumstances is a reminder that we have a long road ahead to ensuring that every American is treated equally and with dignity by our justice system.  
 
Every day we do not act to advance criminal justice reform is another day that we stray further away from ensuring justice for the American people.  In Congress, we have the opportunity to reform the policies and take common-sense steps to save lives and ensure justice and accountability. It is time for the Senate to pass legislation the House passed months ago to strengthen our nation’s gun laws such as H.R. 8, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and H.R. 1446, the Enhanced Background Checks Act. These, two bills would make necessary changes to protect our communities from life threatening and reckless actions like those of vigilante Kyle Rittenhouse. 
 
Passage of these two bills will not on their own solve this complex issue., They represent another step in the journey toward preventing gun violence, ensuring accountability, and condemning the actions of armed civilians that incite violence and use that danger to justify their wrongdoings. We cannot sit idly by and wait for change. We must choose to act. I choose to make a difference and will work in my role as a member of Congress to take action to advance criminal justice reform. It is long past time.”