Ferguson Mayor: Eric Holder’s ‘Hostile Language’ Not Helping

Ferguson Mayor James Knowles has been speaking out quite a bit since the release of last week’s DOJ report on racially-motivated police practices, questioning some of its conclusions and “assertions.”

But in an interview on NPR’s All Things Considered today, Knowles isn’t particularly happy with some of the double-talk he’s been witnessing from the Justice Department.

For one, Attorney General Eric Holder recently said he won’t rule out “dismantling” the Ferguson police if that’s what needs to be done. Knowles responded, “My understanding is that he does not have the power to dismantle the Ferguson Police Department.”

The mayor also claimed, “There continues to be hostile language coming out of the Justice Department––or rather, from Eric Holder specifically.” When asked to elaborate, Knowles said he has very different conversations with the DOJ in private:

“Here is a great sense of optimism from them, and from us, about working together. At the same time, I turn on CNN and watch Eric Holder––that’s not the same language the DOJ uses with us. So, I think that is, you know, frustrating and concerning.”

And Knowles reiterated that he has no plans to resign any time soon.

Listen to the audio below, via NPR:

[image via screengrab]

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Follow Josh Feldman on Twitter: @feldmaniac

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