Roy Cooper let thousands of hardened criminals back onto the streets of North Carolina. Rapists. Pedophiles. Murderers. And when one of those monsters slaughtered a young Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte light rail car, the former governor still had no explanation.
Michael Whatley is not letting him off the hook.
Appearing on Breitbart News Daily, the Republican Senate candidate and former RNC chairman put it plainly. “Roy Cooper has blood on his hands.” He released “4,200 hardened criminals,” Whatley said. “We’re talking the worst of the worst. We’re talking rapists. We’re talking pedophiles. We’re talking murderers out of North Carolina jails because he didn’t want them to get COVID.”
One of them was Decarlos Brown Jr. A year ago this month, a beautiful young Ukrainian refugee named Iryna Zarutska finished her shift at a pizzeria, boarded a Charlotte light rail car late at night, and was brutally murdered without provocation.
Whatley described the horror without flinching. “That monster should not have been on the streets. That monster should not have been on that light rail car, and that beautiful young lady should be alive today. And her blood is on Roy Cooper’s hands.”
Cooper has never explained the decision. Never apologized to the families. Whatley noted there are two dozen other families who lost someone to the criminals Cooper put back on the street. Ninety-nine of those released were later re-arrested on child pornography, sexual assault, or rape charges. And 2,200 of the criminals he released have been re-arrested since walking free.
The numbers only get uglier the deeper you dig. A searchable database compiled at CooperReleasedHim.com tracks more than 4,200 prisoners granted early release under the 2021 settlement Cooper’s administration struck with left-wing groups including the NAACP and ACLU.
At least 2,412 of them have been convicted of new crimes or post-release violations. That is more than half. Among them were dozens of murderers and nearly a hundred sex offenders. The North State Journal reported the grim details earlier this year.
The New York Post found that nearly half the inmates released under the COVID-era deal were charged with new crimes, including at least 18 for murder. These were not low-level nonviolent offenders quietly finishing short sentences. The list included men serving life for rape and murder. Cooper’s people claimed violent offenders would be excluded. They were not.
Cooper’s defenders insist the settlement was forced by a court after activists sued over prison conditions. They claim he fought the broader demands and limited the damage. Whatley is having none of it. Other governors faced the same pressure. Cooper was the one who settled by turning thousands of convicts loose. He has never looked the families in the eye and owned the consequences.
Whatley has made the point central to his campaign. He has backed Iryna’s Law, the North Carolina measure that tightened pretrial release rules so repeat violent offenders stay locked up instead of walking free on cashless bail and soft policies. The same soft approach that kept dangerous men on the street after Cooper’s releases.
Scripture does not soft-pedal the duty of those who hold the sword. “For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.”
A governor who empties cells of the worst predators and then shrugs when the bodies pile up has failed that basic charge. Cooper still has no explanation. The families of the dead are still waiting for one. North Carolina voters get to decide in November whether that is good enough.
Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.
