Bought and Sold: Soros Cash and DA Jose Garza’s Progressive Agenda Leave Austin in Crisis
The Travis County District Attorney, José Garza, has been one of the most controversial figures in Texas politics since taking office in 2021. Backed by substantial funding from George Soros, Garza has implemented a wave of progressive policies that he claims will address systemic inequalities in the criminal justice system. However, critics argue that his reforms have directly led to a significant surge in crime across Austin, damaging public safety and creating a deep divide between law enforcement and the DA’s office.
With Austin experiencing a rise in violent crime rates and the local police force undermanned and demoralized, Garza’s critics — including members of law enforcement, victims’ advocates, and even some local Democrats — believe that his policies are contributing to a chaotic breakdown of public order. They accuse him of being too lenient on criminals, prioritizing a political agenda over the safety of Austin’s citizens, and prosecuting police officers more aggressively than criminals.
This investigative piece will delve deep into the impact of Garza’s policies, drawing from data, public records, and interviews to explore whether Austin’s crime wave is a result of his tenure, or simply a convenient scapegoat for deeper societal issues.
The Soros Connection: How Big Money is Reshaping Local Politics
Let’s start with the money — because in politics, that’s always where the story begins. José Garza’s 2020 campaign was fueled by over $1 million from the Texas Justice & Public Safety PAC, a group funded almost entirely by George Soros. Soros has made it his mission to reform America’s criminal justice system by backing progressive prosecutors, believing that these officials can enact the kind of systemic change that national politicians either can’t or won’t.
But Soros’s strategy, while effective in electing reform-minded district attorneys, has drawn sharp criticism — especially in Texas, a state that prides itself on tough-on-crime policies. Critics accuse Soros-backed DAs of pushing lenient policies that make communities less safe. Garza, with his deep ties to Soros’s funding, has become the poster child for these accusations in Texas.
The Texas Tribune and Fox News have reported extensively on the political controversy surrounding Garza’s policies. With funding pouring in from outside the state, many Texans feel that Garza’s priorities are more aligned with progressive think tanks in New York and California than with the citizens of Travis County. This criticism has only intensified as crime rates in Austin have skyrocketed since Garza took office.
Policies That Sparked a Crime Wave?
When José Garza was elected, he made it clear that he intended to overhaul Travis County’s approach to criminal justice. Among his most significant reforms was his decision to deprioritize the prosecution of nonviolent drug offenses and eliminate cash bail for low-level offenses. Garza argued that criminalizing poverty and addiction does nothing to solve the root causes of crime, and that the justice system should focus on violent offenders rather than clogging jails with people arrested for petty crimes.
In theory, these reforms sound humane. In practice, critics argue, they have emboldened criminals and led to a surge in crime.
According to FBI crime statistics, violent crime in Austin rose nearly 40% above the national average in 2023. These statistics are not isolated incidents. Robberies, aggravated assaults, and auto thefts have all spiked dramatically. Auto theft alone surged by 44%, reaching a record high of 14,700 cases in 2023. Local businesses and residents have expressed growing concerns about their safety, and many point the finger directly at Garza’s policies.
But the most glaring issue is Garza’s handling of violent offenders. In several high-profile cases, his office has been criticized for allowing violent criminals to walk free on probation or plea deals. Take the case of Cordero Rios, a man convicted of multiple assaults against women, who was given 10 years of probation instead of prison time. The backlash to this case was swift and severe, with victims’ advocates accusing Garza of prioritizing leniency for criminals over justice for victims.
A Dismantled Police Force: Targeting Cops Instead of Criminals?
One of the most contentious aspects of Garza’s tenure has been his aggressive prosecution of Austin police officers. From the beginning, Garza made it clear that he intended to hold law enforcement accountable for instances of police misconduct. Following the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, Garza’s office indicted 19 officers for their handling of the protests, accusing them of using excessive force.
Garza’s critics claim that this relentless focus on prosecuting police officers has demoralized the Austin Police Department (APD), leading to a mass exodus of officers. The Austin Police Retired Officers Association has stated that the department is now short by at least 500 officers, a significant gap that has crippled the force’s ability to maintain public safety. Officers feel unsupported by the district attorney’s office and many have either resigned or retired early, leaving the department understaffed and struggling to cope with rising crime rates.
Former officers have publicly spoken out about their frustrations, accusing Garza of selectively prosecuting police officers to fulfill a political agenda rather than focusing on reducing crime. This rift between law enforcement and the DA’s office has only grown wider, leading to less proactive policing and fewer patrols in high-crime areas.
Critics argue that Garza’s decision to prioritize the prosecution of police officers has led to a breakdown in public safety. As officers leave the force, crime goes unaddressed, and those who remain are often hesitant to act for fear of being targeted by the DA’s office.
Public Safety Eroded: Victims Left Behind
Perhaps the most tragic aspect of Garza’s tenure is the way in which victims have been neglected. Since taking office, Garza has faced multiple accusations of mishandling cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, and violent crimes.
One such case involved Conny Branham, whose son was murdered in 2020. Branham was devastated when Garza’s office reduced the charges against all five suspects involved in her son’s murder, with none being charged with capital murder. This case, which was widely reported by local media, exemplifies the deep frustration felt by many victims’ families who believe Garza’s office is more concerned with protecting criminals than securing justice for those they’ve harmed.
Moreover, the backlog of criminal cases in Travis County has reached an astounding 7,000, with many cases delayed or dismissed altogether. This has left victims waiting for months — sometimes years — for their day in court, only to find that the DA’s office has offered lenient plea deals that leave them feeling ignored and unsupported by the justice system.
The Austin American-Statesman has chronicled numerous examples of cases where violent offenders were released on probation or reduced charges, only to reoffend. One particularly egregious case involved a convicted sexual predator who was released on 10 years probation after brutally assaulting a woman. Shortly after his release, he was arrested again for a similar offense.
For the victims of these crimes, Garza’s policies have not only failed to deliver justice — they have actively put them at greater risk. The DA’s office, critics argue, is so focused on reform that it has lost sight of its most basic responsibility: protecting the public from dangerous criminals.
The Exodus from Austin: A City in Decline?
Austin has long been one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, attracting new residents with its vibrant culture, booming tech industry, and reputation as a relatively safe and livable city. But under Garza’s tenure, many Austinites are deciding it’s time to leave.
The combination of rising crime, deteriorating public safety, and a perception that the DA’s office is failing to hold criminals accountable has led to an exodus of residents from Austin. According to census data, Austin experienced a net loss in population for the first time in over a decade in 2023. Many residents, particularly families, are citing safety concerns as their primary reason for leaving.
Real estate data shows that more homes are being listed for sale in traditionally desirable Austin neighborhoods, while the surrounding suburbs and smaller towns in the greater Austin area are seeing an influx of new residents. Downtown businesses have also reported a decline in foot traffic, with many owners pointing to public safety concerns as a major factor.
This trend is particularly troubling for a city that has long prided itself on its growth and economic vibrancy. As more residents and businesses leave the city, Austin risks losing not only its reputation as a safe and livable city but also its economic stability.
A City in Crisis
As José Garza prepares to run for re-election, Austin is at a crossroads. His supporters argue that he is fulfilling his promise to reform a broken justice system, but the reality on the ground tells a different story. Rising crime rates, a demoralized police force, and a public increasingly fearful for its safety all point to a city in decline.
Garza’s critics, who now include a broad coalition of law enforcement, victims’ advocates, business owners, and even some Democrats, believe that his policies have directly contributed to this crisis. They accuse him of prioritizing a political agenda over the safety of Austin’s citizens and warn that unless there is a dramatic course correction, the situation will only get worse.
Austin was once a city on the rise — a beacon of growth, opportunity, and progress in the heart of Texas. But under Garza’s tenure, it risks becoming a cautionary tale of what happens when ideology trumps public safety.
You can view our sources and citations in our research article here.
