A clip circulating on X shows North Carolina Senate candidate and former Gov. Roy Cooper discussing inmate releases as the race draws scrutiny over public safety. According to the post, Cooper said he should have released “more” people, citing his record of about 4,200 COVID-era prison releases and 15 death-row commutations. Online users reacted after the clip, with many questioning whether the remarks put criminals ahead of residents, though Cooper has separately said a court settlement and prison officials shaped the releases.
The video shows a CNN package under the on-screen line “DEMS THOUGHT THEY HAD NC SENATE RACE IN THE BAG. DO THEY?” In the clip, correspondent Manu Raju asks Cooper if he has “any regrets” about a court-ordered COVID prison settlement. Cooper replies, “This is something that the state had to do because the court ordered it,” adding that plaintiffs “were very frustrated that more weren’t released.”
He continues, “This was something that we wanted to do to make sure we worked to protect the public. Public safety officers made decisions about this. They followed the lead of President Trump’s team.” Cooper then says, “The problem here is that they’re lying about all of these cases that they’re trying to connect to this.”
The footage also includes an ad line, “We paid the price when Roy Cooper put criminals before the innocent,” and Whatley saying, “Roy Cooper is the one who let 4,200 criminals out.” The clip does not show the full interview or independently verify each case cited in the posts.
How Viewers Are Responding to the North Carolina Clip
Some users focused on public safety. One wrote, “We’ve had it with @RoyCooperNC – he’s death to our loved ones.”
Another asked, “You protect the public letting criminals out of jail??” A third said Cooper “doesn’t realize prisons are not only a punishment,” adding, “YOU could be the next VICTIM!”
Others tied the remarks to the Senate race. One commenter wrote, “Letting criminals out and into our society is a winning campaign message,” then asked, “NC voters, are you really that confused?”
Another said, “Are North Carolinians really dumb enough to vote for a moron like this?”
Several called for consequences, including “Hold him accountable for enabling criminals!” and “How about letting 0 out?”
For now, the clip has become another flashpoint in North Carolina’s Senate race. Viewers remain split over whether Cooper’s remarks describe a court-ordered process he says he resisted, or a record that should decide the contest.
