Friend,

Yesterday, Patrick W. Carlineo Jr., a man who threatened my life, pleaded guilty before a federal judge.

This man’s threat was dangerous. He hates Muslims. He hates that someone like me serves as a member of Congress. His words were an attack not just against me -- they were a threat against everyone who looks like me or worships like me.

But the reality is that if this man was sent to prison for decades or went into debt from a fine, I would not benefit. Our society would not benefit. Only our broken criminal justice system would benefit.

This is about more than one criminal case. It’s a reminder of the need for our country to invest in practices that address the root causes of crimes. It’s a call to move away from mass incarceration and toward restorative justice.

In Congress, I promise I will keep speaking out for legislation to transform how we approach criminal justice. Together, we’ll create a more just and equitable world.

Thank you for reading,

Ilhan