St. Louis prosecutor Kimberly Gardner recently submitted her resignation amid ongoing criticism, but Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey remains committed to removing her from office before she intended last day on June 1. Gardner’s resignation letter cited a proposed state bill as part of a “coordinated, long-standing strategy to undermine” her efforts to make St. Louis safer and fairer. However, her list of accomplishments focused more on secondary goals, while her record of convicting criminals went unmentioned.
In response to her resignation, Bailey released a statement emphasizing the need for her immediate removal from office, as her continued presence puts St. Louis in further danger. He also expressed concerns about the number of victims, violated constitutional rights, and unprosecuted cases between now and June 1. Bailey has the power under Missouri law to remove rogue elected officials, and he remains committed to restoring order in St. Louis.
Gardner’s office has faced accusations of protecting violent criminals, and her support in St. Louis waned after a man her office failed to prosecute nearly killed a teenage girl in February. St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones, once a strong Gardner ally, called for Gardner to do some soul-searching and questioned her desire to continue as circuit attorney.
Gardner, who took office in 2017, received at least $150,000 in donations from organizations linked to far-left billionaire George Soros. She gained national attention in 2020 for prosecuting Mark and Patricia McCloskey, who defended their home with firearms during the Black Lives Matter riots. Gardner was ultimately removed from the case when a judge determined she was pursuing it for political purposes.
Despite her resignation, it is clear that Missouri’s Attorney General will not relent until St. Louis receives the justice and safety it deserves. The conservative values of law and order must be upheld to protect citizens and restore faith in the justice system.
