SE Kansas City News

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver, a member of the U.S. Congress representing Missouri’s 5th district since 2005, shared a series of posts on August 11, 2025, addressing crime rates in Washington, federal funding for gun violence prevention, and the impact of tariffs on consumer prices.

In a post from August 11, Cleaver wrote: "Crime hit a 30-year low in Washington last year. Crime is down another 26% this year. Rather than wasting taxpayer dollars and law enforcement resources to insult our nation’s capital, the president should focus on lowering costs for American families."

Later that day, Cleaver commented on gun violence prevention funding: "The Trump administration has terminated more than half of all federal funding for gun violence prevention programs in the US. If the president wants to make our communities safer, he should reinstate federal funding dedicated to gun violence prevention."

Addressing economic concerns, Cleaver posted: "Americans are paying more for appliances, home furnishings, toys and shoes than they were a few months ago, and they could soon face higher prices on more goods as the Trump administration’s latest round of sharper tariffs kicks in." This statement highlights ongoing debates about the effects of trade policies on consumer costs.

Cleaver was born in Waxahachie, Texas in 1944 and currently resides in Kansas City. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Prairie View A&M University in 1972. Since taking office in Congress after replacing Karen McCarthy in 2005, Cleaver has focused on issues impacting his constituents and broader national policy discussions.