President Trump on Tuesday hammered Democratic North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper over the release of prisoners who went on to commit further crimes, including a man accused of one of the state’s most notorious murders.
Mr. Trump held a rally in Greenville, North Carolina, to boost Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley, who is trailing Mr. Cooper by 13 points according to the latest polls. Mr. Cooper is seeking the Senate after completing two terms as governor.
During his remarks, Mr. Trump tied Mr. Cooper to the release of DeCarlos Brown Jr., who is accused of stabbing a 23-year-old Iryna Zarutska on a Charlotte commuter train in August 2025.
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Brown entered federal custody in September after being ruled incompetent to stand trial for the murder.
The brutal attack drew national outrage after surveillance video of the killing was released. It sparked intense political reaction, with Republicans citing the case as an example of what they described as soft-on-crime Democratic policies.
Mr. Trump referred to Brown as a “violent and deranged animal,” talking about the brutality of the killing.
“He’s a man who let out murderers,” Mr. Trump said of Mr. Cooper. “He’s a disgrace to this state. He betrayed his most sacred duty as your governor to keep North Carolina safe.”
Brown, who had been arrested 14 times before the stabbing, had criminal convictions dating back to 2007.
His name appeared on a list of 3,500 prisoners who were released early in 2021 after the state reached a settlement with prisoners over the conditions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Cooper signed off on the settlement.
However, Mr. Cooper and state officials said Brown wasn’t released early. They say he received 176 days of jail credit for time served while he was sentenced for robbery with a dangerous weapon.
Mr. Trump said Brown wasn’t the only one among the 3,500 who went on to commit violent crimes. He said that more than 2,000 of the 3,500 had been rearrested, including 99 arrests for rape, 617 arrests for violent assault and at least 25 murders.
One of the men released, Calvin Locklear, was sentenced to 34 years in 2023 after being convicted of second-degree murder during a violent home invasion.
“It’s a betrayal that can never be forgotten,” Mr. Trump said.
Mr. Whately trails Mr. Cooper by 13 points in the Senate race, according to recent polls. Earlier this month, the Senate Republicans’ top super PAC canceled tens of millions of dollars worth of ad spending in support of Mr. Whately. However, a nonprofit associated with Mr. Trump last week pumped $2 million into the race.
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