Only in California could a tough-on-crime mayor be more controversial than the criminals wrecking his city.
R. Rex Parris, the longtime Republican mayor of Lancaster, California, is under fire—and facing a recall attempt—after stating exactly what millions of Americans are thinking: it’s time to stop tiptoeing around the homeless crisis and start protecting law-abiding families from lawless chaos. During a city council meeting in late February, Parris had the audacity to say what the left refuses to admit—some of these “unhoused” individuals are criminals, predators, and drug addicts who have chosen the streets and chaos over help and sobriety. And his tongue-in-cheek solution? “Give them all the fentanyl they want.”
Naturally, the left-wing media and professional grievance industry lost their collective minds. But Parris didn’t back down. In fact, he doubled down—explaining on Fox 11 that he was talking about the career criminals who now make up an estimated 40 to 45% of the homeless population in cities like his. He’s not talking about families down on their luck. He’s talking about the violent repeat offenders, the ones raping, robbing, and terrorizing his constituents. According to Parris, “They are responsible for most of our robberies, most of our rapes, and at least half of our murders.” Harsh? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
Of course, the media rushed to note that Parris “provided no data.” But here’s the thing—Californians don’t need a spreadsheet to know what’s happening on their streets. They see the encampments. They smell the drugs. They hear the screams at 3 a.m. from tent cities that the state’s Democrat rulers call “housing solutions.” Parris is guilty of saying out loud what Gavin Newsom and his buddies in Sacramento want hidden under a mountain of taxpayer-funded press releases.
What’s most revealing is the pearl-clutching from the same crowd that thinks supervised heroin injection sites and taxpayer-funded meth pipes are “compassionate.” When the government hands out needles, it’s “harm reduction.” But when a Republican mayor sarcastically suggests giving fentanyl to people who refuse help and terrorize his city—it’s suddenly a human rights crisis?
Parris has been mayor since 2008, and unlike the revolving door of woke mayors in San Francisco and L.A., he’s been fighting to protect families and reclaim his city from lawlessness. His real crime? Not playing along with the left’s “housing first, responsibility never” narrative. While leftists cry about “equity,” families in Lancaster are locking their doors at 4 p.m. and praying their kids don’t step on needles at the park.
The recall effort against Parris—driven by the usual blend of progressive nonprofits, professional protestors, and “social justice” activists—has barely collected 6% of its needed signatures. That’s because most hardworking families agree with the mayor. They’re sick of the excuses. They’re tired of their neighborhoods turning into fentanyl-funded hellscapes. And they want leaders who will protect them—not pander to criminals with free tents and endless second chances.
Parris also sparked outrage when he floated the idea of a federal “purge” to clean up the nation’s worst offenders. Harsh language, sure—but let’s not forget, President Donald J. Trump has made it clear that under his administration, law and order are not optional. The Department of Homeland Security is already cracking down on criminal vagrants and foreign nationals gaming the asylum system. Perhaps it’s time states like California got on board or got out of the way.
Bottom line: Rex Parris isn’t the problem. He’s just the messenger. The real issue is a failed liberal experiment in compassion without consequence. Until that changes, you’re going to hear more leaders like Parris channeling the fury of the forgotten taxpayer—and yes, even using language that shocks the woke.
Because sometimes the truth has to be shouted to be heard.