CNN Panel Erupts as Tiffany Cross Plays Race Card on Crime [WATCH]

A heated exchange broke out during a CNN panel when criminal defense attorney Arthur Aidala confronted former MSNBC host Tiffany Cross after she suggested his perspective on crime was influenced by racial privilege, as reported by The Independent Journal Review.

The discussion, hosted by CNN NewsNight anchor Abby Phillip, centered on President Donald Trump’s recent decision to deploy federal resources and National Guard troops to Washington, D.C.

On August 11, Trump announced a federal takeover of the city’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) to address rising crime in the nation’s capital.

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Phillip referred to the move as a “military occupation,” but Aidala said he felt “thrilled” about the federal intervention. Cross responded by claiming Aidala’s viewpoint was shaped by privilege.

“You were absolutely right and accurate in your open, Abby. I think the reason why you may feel that way, Arthur, is because you maneuver in society with a certain privilege,” Cross said.

Aidala immediately interrupted.

“Hold on. What privilege? When I get on the subway, just tell me — just tell me the privilege. When I’m dressed like this on the subway, I am a target. That is not a privilege. I’m a target. There’s a guy who probably has a wallet and a watch,” he said.

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Cross asked Aidala to let her finish. “Arthur, I want you to be open. I want you to have a little bit of intellectual curiosity and be open and let me finish my point,” she said. Aidala replied, “Okay. I’m very curious.”

Earlier in the program, Aidala pointed to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s decision in March 2024 to deploy 750 National Guard members and 250 state troopers to New York City’s subway system to address violent crime.

Cross continued her argument, claiming that law enforcement historically expanded ranks to oppress minorities.

“There was so much violence against people of color, black people in particular in this country, that they said it’s okay to beat a black person, to murder a black person, but you got — but you got to be wearing a badge when you do it,” she said.

“But who are the victims?” Aidala asked in response.

Attorney General Pam Bondi announced Tuesday that since Trump’s crime crackdown began, authorities in Washington, D.C., had made 1,094 arrests and seized 115 firearms. Cross countered by alleging law-abiding citizens were being harassed by militarized police.

“I am telling you on the front lines what is happening. And there are militarized police force going and harassing longtime law-abiding citizens of Washington, D.C.,” Cross said.

She added that history offered examples of law enforcement turning against its own people, citing the 1921 Tulsa massacre.

Aidala pushed back, saying, “We’re far from that, though.”

Cross responded, “We are not so far. We are not so far. We are actually not so far from that.”

Aidala asked, “From dropping bombs on people?”

“Yes,” Cross replied, insisting the country was closer to such actions than Aidala acknowledged.

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