North Carolina US rep: Sending the National Guard to Charlotte is not ‘unnecessary’
The author represents North Carolina’s 8th District in the United States House of Representatives.
Critics deem National Guard deployment in Charlotte “unnecessary” — then why is the police union begging for it? Short 273 officers, the police need reinforcements. While pursuing long-term solutions, Charlotte needs backup.
Officials tout falling crime, but residents disagree: A poll shows 61% of North Carolinians are concerned for their safety. This week, someone was stabbed on a bus in Uptown at 4:50 pm. Should locals fear the fate of Iryna Zarutska on public transit? Who wouldn’t feel unsafe when repeat offenders are being released daily?
Uptown murders surged 200%. October: Eight homicides in seven days, four in 24 hours. November: three more in 24 hours.
The quickest way to stop the bleeding is to send in the Guard.
Mark Harris
NC overreach
Mecklenburg voters voted overwhelmingly for Democratic candidates up and down the ballot. At the same time, three North Carolina legislators — Mark Harris, Chuck Edwards, and Pat Harrigan — were calling for deployment of National Guard troops to Charlotte. This is just another glaring example of typical Republican overreach prompted by overwhelming Democratic support by Charlotte voters.
It should be noted, as reported in several Observer articles, voters were casting their ballots not only for local candidates but against the current referendum of national politics.
Doug Bennett, Charlotte
More Trump pardons
The circle of corruption regarding the 2020 presidential election is now complete. In his first week in office, Trump pardoned January 6 rioters who assaulted the Capitol Police. He has now followed that up by pardoning lawyers, state legislators and executive branch officials who made fraudulent attempts to overturn legitimate presidential election results.
The message is loud and clear. Break the law on Trump’s behalf and in return he will circumvent the justice system.
Arnie Grieves, Huntersville
Democrats and health care
The Democrats spend too much time debating how to extend unsustainable healthcare subsidies — and not nearly enough time addressing how to actually lower healthcare costs. Simply shifting the burden to taxpayers doesn’t make healthcare more affordable.
Mike Howard, Marvin
UNC hoops memory
Your story on the historic men’s basketball rivalry between UNC and Kansas failed to mention the 1957 national championship, in which the Tar Heels defeated the Jayhawks in triple overtime to win the title. The Heels, who had defeated Michigan State in a triple overtime semifinal just 20 hours before, were 12-point underdogs to Kansas and Wilt Chamberlain.
The team’s undeniable star was Lennie Rosenbluth, who died recently. Bob Young, now of Naples, Fla., contributed a key layup in overtime to keep the Heels alive, and Joe Quigg, now of Fayetteville, sunk the two free throws that put the Heels on top for good. The story of the team’s undefeated season, and how they captured imaginations statewide, is told in a DVD by Stephanie Pace of Hickory, “McGuire’s Miracle,” named for the Heels’ legendary coach, Frank McGuire.
Laura Toler, Durham
This story was originally published November 16, 2025 at 5:24 AM.