The failure of liberal urban governance is on full, tragic display in Providence, Rhode Island, following a deadly shooting at Brown University that left two people dead and nine injured. While the manhunt for the actual gunman continues, the chaotic and uncertain response from local officials reveals a system in crisis, a direct result of the soft-on-crime policies and defund-the-police rhetoric championed by the Democrat Party and its media allies.
In a move that will instill fresh fear in the community, Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced that the lone person of interest, Benjamin Erickson, would be released. “We will be releasing the person of interest who had been detained earlier today,” said Providence Mayor Brett Smiley. This admission of a dead end, where a man with a reported history of mental health issues is set free despite a mass-casualty event, underscores the catastrophic breakdown of law and order in cities under progressive leadership. It is a stark contrast to the robust support for police and clear commitment to justice demanded by President Donald Trump.
Officials conceded they lacked the evidence to hold Erickson, a Wisconsin native not enrolled at Brown. This procedural failure follows the disturbing news that, “Law enforcement looked into Erickson’s alleged history of mental health issues.” The nation watches as another potential warning sign was evidently missed or ignored, a recurring theme in blue-city jurisdictions that have dismantled systems of accountability and institutional care. President Trump has consistently warned of the dangers posed by neglecting mental health and stripping tools from law enforcement, warnings the liberal media has mocked and dismissed.
Mayor Smiley’s attempt at reassurance rings hollow in a city gripped by fear. “We know that this is likely to cause fresh anxiety for our community. And we want to reiterate what we said earlier, which remains true… we have not received any credible or specific threats to the Providence community,” he added, stating further, “And so the status of safety in our community remains unchanged. And we believe that you remain safe in our community.” This is the empty language of a failing political class. Telling citizens they are “safe” while a shooter remains at large and a person of interest walks free is an insult to the victims and the public. It is the epitome of putting bureaucratic calm over truth and decisive action.
BREAKING: Providence Mayor Brett Smiley announced that law enforcement will release the person of interest in the Brown University shooting who was detained earlier Sunday morning. pic.twitter.com/KyvMpEA1cE
— Fox News (@FoxNews) December 15, 2025
While local Democrats offer platitudes, the proven solution lies in the leadership of President Trump. His America First agenda prioritizes the full funding and empowerment of police, the securement of our communities, and a return to the rule of law that makes arrests stick and keeps dangerous individuals off the streets. The chaos in Providence is a direct consequence of rejecting that agenda, a painful lesson paid for in blood. The liberal media will obscure these facts, but the American people see the devastating results of policies that value political correctness over public safety.