As reported by Newsweek, Governor Doug Burgum, the odds-on favorite to be former President Donald Trump's vice-presidential candidate, is facing scrutiny over escalating crime rates in his home state of North Dakota, potentially undermining his candidacy.
The conjecture surrounding Burgum as Trump's potential running mate gained traction when internet users discovered that the domain name trumpburgum.com redirects to Trump's official campaign website. However, some political analysts argue that Trump should consider a female candidate, such as former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, to balance the ticket.
Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, has hinted at revealing his vice-presidential pick at the Republican National Convention, scheduled to commence on July 15. This announcement is expected shortly after the former president's sentencing in the New York hush money case. Trump's campaign website emphasizes the urgency of restoring law and order in America, stating it as a top priority.
However, North Dakota's escalating crime rates could pose a significant challenge to a potential Trump-Burgum ticket. In a recent interview with WDAY-TV, North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley expressed concern over the state's rising crime rates. "The crime rates in North Dakota are on the rise, and it's a matter we need to address urgently," Wrigley stated.
According to the attorney general's annual crime statistics and trends report, violent crimes, including murder, assault, and kidnapping, increased by 2.9 percent in 2023. Drug-related crimes and weapons violations saw a 2.1 percent rise during the same period. The North Dakota Crime Statistics website reveals a more than 20 percent surge in violent crime between 2013 and 2023, with drug and alcohol-related crimes increasing by 6.6 percent.
Iwan Morgan, emeritus professor of U.S. studies at University College London's Institute of the Americas, warns that the rising crime rates in North Dakota could invite increased media scrutiny and provide ammunition for Democratic strategists. "There is a danger that if he selects a running mate who is governor of a state where crime is rising in contravention of national trends then he opens himself up to greater media scrutiny of his claims," Morgan said.
When questioned about the escalating crime rates in North Dakota, Steven Cheung, a representative for Donald Trump, blamed the Biden administration's policies. "High crime rates only in Joe Biden's America. His disgusting pro-criminal and open border policies have led to widespread crime across the country," Cheung stated.
Despite Trump's focus on high crime rates in the U.S., data from the FBI contradicts his claims. Preliminary data released by the FBI in June indicated a 15.2 percent decrease in violent crime year-on-year, with murder rates down by 26.4 percent.
Mike Nowatzki, a spokesperson for Governor Burgum, defended the governor's record on public safety. "For the year in which final stats are available nationally, the crime rate in North Dakota in 2022 was 27 percent lower than the United States Average. North Dakota also is in the bottom third of states when it comes to violent crime rate," Nowatzki stated.
Burgum has championed and signed numerous bills supporting law enforcement, including policies exempting law enforcement retirement pay from state income tax, providing $3.5 million for hiring and retention bonuses to law enforcement officers, and adjusting retirement benefits for agents at the state's Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Despite North Dakota's rising crime rates, Morgan believes that Burgum could still bring valuable assets to the ticket. His successful business record could bolster Trump's economic claims, and his knowledge of energy and environmental issues could add substance to Trump's generalized policy statements.
However, Morgan emphasizes that loyalty to Trump is the key criterion for VP selection, a lesson learned from his experience with Mike Pence. "That is where Burgum really has to cut the mustard!" Morgan stated.
Angelia Wilson, a politics professor at the University of Manchester, England, believes that Trump's choice of running mate will be less influenced by crime rates and more by the need to secure votes. She suggests Ohio senator J.D. Vance as a strategic choice to ensure victories in Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Pennsylvania.
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