North Carolina lawmakers eviscerated Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden in a hearing Monday in Raleigh.
Why it matters: What was billed as a way to address crime in the state’s largest city, with mostly GOP lawmakers grilling the Democratic sheriff over a host of issues, including immigration, turned into an all-out questioning of his competency to serve — from deaths in county jails to his basic knowledge of the three branches of government.
Catch up quick: The August 2025 fatal stabbing of Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail drew widespread GOP scrutiny, including from President Trump.
- Charlotte political and law enforcement leaders, including Mayor Vi Lyles and District Attorney Spencer Merriweather, were called to testify before the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform on their roles in keeping the city safe.
Rep. Brenden Jones, the committee chair, said Charlotte leaders were brought to Raleigh “for one reason: incompetence.”
- He said Zarutska’s blood was on their hands.
The big picture: Throughout the hours-long hearing, McFadden dodged questions related to accusations against him. Most were documented in a petition that prompted an ongoing SBI investigation…