Robert Saleem Holbrook: referral is "a continuation of the right's assault" on Krasner

Robert Saleem HolbrookExecutive director, Straight Ahead

Challenged the characterization

Robert Saleem Holbrook said the referral is a politically motivated continuation of efforts to remove Krasner.

“This is unfortunately a continuation of the right's assault on DA Krasner and the policies that he's implemented. This is a judge using an internal conflict in the office to further the objective of removing Krasner from office.”

Reporting

Open source (opens in a new tab)Philly DA Larry Krasner faces legal and political uncertainty after a judge said he may have committed crimes

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Larry Krasner
Credit: Michael Candelori

Where this statement fits

Did Larry Krasner Pressure Staff to Mislead a Federal Judge About a Murder-Conviction Appeal?

A federal judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania found that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Matthew Stiegler, chief of his office's Conviction Integrity Unit, may have pressured subordinate prosecutors to blame a departed colleague and present a false account to the court about an internal dispute over a 2022 concession in a habeas corpus case, and referred Krasner, Stiegler, and the District Attorney's Office to the U.S. Attorney's Office for investigation. Krasner disputes the judge's findings and says he will appeal.

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Source and context

Reporting

Philly DA Larry Krasner faces legal and political uncertainty after a judge said he may have committed crimes (opens in a new tab)

About this source

Philadelphia Inquirer report on political and legal reaction to Judge Diamond's September 15, 2026 referral, quoting State Rep. Martina White, Robert Saleem Holbrook (Straight Ahead), Sergio Cea (Reclaim Philadelphia), and law professors Lauren Ouziel and Michael Levy.

Before the quotation

Said to Philadelphia Inquirer reporters after Judge Diamond's September 15, 2026 referral became public.

After the quotation

Holbrook heads both Straight Ahead and the Abolitionist Law Center.

How this statement is classified

Challenged the characterization

The label describes this statement's response within the context above.

Why this label?

Holbrook does not dispute the specific facts found by Judge Diamond, but reframes the referral itself as a politically motivated continuation of efforts to remove Krasner rather than a neutral legal action -- disputing the characterization of the referral's motivation rather than defending the underlying conduct or denying it outright.

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Paul S. Diamond

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Preib urges scrutiny of prosecutors in Philadelphia and Chicago

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The Dispute Index
Title
Robert Saleem Holbrook: referral is "a continuation of the right's assault" on Krasner
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https://disputeindex.com/events/908-robert-saleem-holbrook-said-the-referral-is-a

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The Dispute Index. "Robert Saleem Holbrook: referral is "a continuation of the right's assault" on Krasner". First published: 2026-09-17. Last updated: 2026-09-17. https://disputeindex.com/events/908-robert-saleem-holbrook-said-the-referral-is-a