The New York Police Department should issue a statement saying it will fire the officers involved in the take-down that caused Eric Garner's death, says Sen. Rand Paul.
"When I first saw the video I was horrified, and still am horrified every time I see it. As Eric Garner is gasping for breath and saying, 'I can't breathe,' I just can't believe this goes on," the Kentucky Republican said Thursday on
CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer."
Paul said he is as shocked as anyone that a Staten Island grand jury declined to indict Officer Daniel Pantaleo for what has been described as a chokehold move in taking Garner down.
But Paul said he is equally shocked there has been no statement by police about whether this is acceptable or whether the officers involved will remain on the force.
Making such a statement could calm down the reaction by protesters upset with the grand jury decision, Paul said.
Garner was being arrested for selling untaxed cigarettes on the street, and Paul blamed high taxes on cigarettes in New York for creating a black market that leads people to engage in such behavior.
He compared it to the War on Drugs, which he said also has forced police to act too aggressively when enforcing the law.
"I don't think it's justified what the police did, but I also think it's bad police that puts the police in an untenable position," he said.
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