CNN’s Van Jones says Tire Nichols’ death may have been ‘racially motivated’ despite black cops being charged

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CNN commentator Van Jones attempted to argue that the former Memphis police officers responsible for Tire Nichols’ death “may still have been racially motivated” despite the fact that all five of them were black.

In an opinion piece posted Friday on CNN’s website, Jones began by recalling the 1991 police brutality case of Rodney King, where four white cops were filmed beating him. He noted that unlike King, Nichols did not survive.

“From the beating of the king to the murder nearly three years ago of George Floyd, American society has often focused on the race of the officers so often white as a factor in their deplorable acts of violence,” Jones wrote. “But the story of a white cop killing an unarmed black man should never have been the only lens through which we tried to understand police abuse and misconduct. It’s time for a discussion more nuanced about how police brutality endangers black lives.”

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Van Jones, CEO of Reform Alliance, a newly formed organization to reform the U.S. criminal justice system, speaks during the Reform Alliance launch event in New York, New York., U.S. January 23, 2019 . REUTERS/Mike Segar – RC1AD68F87D0 ( REUTERS/Mike Segar)

The liberal pundit went on to say that black people “are not immune to anti-black messages”, telling readers that “self-hatred is a real thing”.

“Black cops are often socialized into police departments that view certain neighborhoods as war zones. In these departments, few officers are disciplined for delivering street justice in certain neighborhoods that are often populated by black, brown or income where there is an unspoken understanding that the ‘regulation’ simply does not apply,” Jones wrote. “Cops of all colors, including black police officers, internalize these messages and sometimes act on them. In fact, in black neighborhoods, the phenomenon of brutal black cops singling out young black men for abuse does not nothing new.”

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“Ultimately, it is the race of the victim being brutalized and not the race of the violent cop that is most relevant in determining whether racial bias is a factor in police brutality. It’s hard to imagine five cops of any color. beating a white person to death under similar circumstances. And it’s almost impossible to imagine five black cops giving a white arrested person the kind of beating Nichols would have received,” Jones continued.

From left to right, Desmond Mills, Demetrius Haley, Justin Smith, Emmitt Martin and Tadarrius Bean. Each of the Memphis Police Department officers were fired Jan. 18 for their role in the arrest of the late Tire Nichols. (Shelby County Jail)

Jones called for “tougher oversight and faster punishment,” saying “we need more” of the actions taken by the Memphis Police Department in firing the five officers involved in Nichols’ death. But he pointed out that “people often oppress people who look like them”.

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“Unless there is real oversight, with real consequences for wrongdoing, bad actors will take advantage, lower practical standards for everyone, and put us all at risk. And without aggressive oversight and punishment fast, well continue to see acts of turnaround police brutality against black men by cops of all colors,” he added.

This photo provided by the Nichols family shows Tire Nichols, who is an avid photographer and described by friends as cheerful and adorable. Nichols was just minutes from his home in Memphis, Tennessee, on January 7, 2023, when he was arrested by police and fatally beaten. Five Memphis police officers have since been charged with second degree murder and other offences. (Courtesy of the Nichols family via AP)

Critics mocked Jones’ opinion piece on social media.

“I knew this take was coming,” Washington Free Beacon reporter Chuck Ross said.

“But of course,” wrote Fox News contributor Andy McCarthy.

“Go TF on @VanJones68?!?! Seriously? Can’t people be bad people driven by their immaturity, self-awareness and inability to discern? Is every incident involving police and black men must become a I understand that is the complimentary right again,” writer Substack Barrington Martin II told the CNN pundit.

“How can @TheBabylonBee compete with @VanJones68?” Babylon Bee founder Adam Ford joked.

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Authorities in Memphis on Friday night released police body camera footage of a Jan. 7 traffic stop that preceded the death of Tire Nichols, 29, who spent three days in hospital before being killed. succumbed to his injuries, authorities said.

Demetrius Haley, Tadarrius Bean, Emmitt Martin III, Desmond Mills and Justin Smith were fired on January 18 and later charged with second degree murder. The former officers could face up to 60 years in prison if convicted.

Fox News’ Michael Ruiz contributed to this report.

Joseph A. Wulfsohn is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to [email protected] and on Twitter: @JosephWulfsohn.

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