Bernie Sanders in 2024 VT Senate race

On Crime: I support police reform; not "defunding the police"

A: Do I think we should not have police departments in America? No, I don't. There's no city in the world that does not have police departments. And, too often around this country right now, you have police officers who take the job at very low payment, don't have much education, don't have much training--and I want to change that.

Q: So what should be done?

A: I think we want to redefine what police departments do, give them the support they need to make their jobs better defined. So I do believe that we need well-trained, well-educated, and well-paid professionals in police departments. Anyone who thinks that we should abolish all police departments in America, I don't agree.

On Drugs: Rated A+ by NORML: 1st to call to end marijuana prohibition

NORML Politician Info: rated A+
• Candidate: Bernie Sanders
• Summary: LEGALIZE, TAX, AND REGULATE/DECRIMINALIZE/MEDICAL USE: Sanders supports legalization of marijuana nationwide, full record expungement of those who have been harmed, and creating an industry that allows participation & ownership by those from the communities hardest hit by criminalization. He was the first Senator in US history to introduce a bill to end marijuana prohibition.

On Principles & Values: I'd feel awful if America lost our 250 year old democracy

SANDERS: Well, I would feel awful, as somebody who has opposed virtually all of Trump's policies. And I would feel awful if the American people lost the democracy which we've had for 250 years. And I would feel awful if we turned our back on the existential threat of climate change.