Rep. DeSana announced legislation in Grand Rapids on Monday that would provide greater legal protections for cops at the same time the Schurr trial began

On Monday, Michigan State Rep. James DeSana (R) was in Grand Rapids to promote legislation that he will introduce on Tuesday with State Sen. Jim Runestad, legislation that according to MLive will, “provide civil immunity to Michigan police officers who use deadly force when acting in self-defense.”

Rep. DeSana made this announcement in front of the Kent County Court House today and he was joined by people who are with Back the Blue Michigan, a pro-police group that formed in 2021. You might remember that I wrote a piece about Back the Blue Michigan last June, an article that exposed the group for their deceitful attempt to collect signatures for a ballot initiative to change municipal charters so that public money would compensate cops for any injury they sustained. Rep. DeSana chose to announce his legislation because it would provide greater legal justifications for cops like Christopher Schurr who’s lawyers are arguing that Schurr was merely defending himself.

MLive said that the legislation that Rep. DeSana will introduce on Tuesday, “would provide civil immunity to Michigan police officers who use deadly force when acting in self-defense.” However, the Michigan Senate Republican site states:

“These bills would protect Michiganders from unjust lawsuits by reinforcing their right to defend themselves without the fear of financial ruin from lengthy and expensive court battles,” said DeSana, R-Carleton. “By establishing a presumption of immunity for those acting in lawful self-defense, this legislation ensures individuals aren’t burdened by civil lawsuits when they’ve done nothing wrong.”

What Rep. DeSana did not tell the media on Monday was that Michigan already has qualified immunity for cops and other government employees under the Governmental Tort Liability Act (MCL 691.1407), which was adopted in 1964.

The MLive article also failed to mention the fact that Rep. DeSana was first elected in 2022 to the Michigan State House and received $1050.00 each from eight members of the DeVos family.

Last week, Rep. DeSana voted for a bi-partisan bill last week (it passed 104 – 4), which would local police departments more money every year.

In addition, it is worth noting that just last week Rep. DeSana sponsored House Bill 4342, which would penalize any municipality that doesn’t cut its sanctuary policies, by withholding state revenue sharing dollars, which fund local police and fire departments, as well as road repairs and sewage systems. 

Rep. DeSana said, “My goal in speaking here today is to stress how reckless sanctuary policies are and how they shield criminals and put them before Michigan residents who want to raise their families in safe communities. Communities that choose to ignore our federal immigration laws are putting lives at risk and it’s time we hold them accountable.” 

Thus, it seems quite clear that Rep. DeSana is endorsing legislation that mirror’s what the Trump Administration is doing at the federal level, plus he is funded by one of the most powerful families in West Michigan, the DeVos family.