Trump calls for death penalty for suspect in Charlotte light rail stabbing

Trump addresses deadly Charlotte stabbing: 'It's time to stop this madness'

President Donald Trump addresses the deadly stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee in North Carolina from the Oval Office.

President Donald Trump called for Decarlos Brown Jr. to face the death penalty for the alleged murder of Iryna Zarutska on Wednesday.

Trump made the statement on social media, saying the trial for suspect Decarlos Brown Jr. should be "quick." 

"The ANIMAL who so violently killed the beautiful young lady from Ukraine, who came to America searching for peace and safety, should be given a ‘Quick’ (there is no doubt!) Trial, and only awarded THE DEATH PENALTY," Trump posted on Truth Social. "There can be no other option!"

Zarutska's slaying has brought about heavy criticism of Democrats, who critics accuse of adopting soft-on-crime laws that allow violent criminals to roam the streets. Trump argued Monday that the victim's "blood is on the hands of the Democrats who refuse to put bad people in jail."

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT HITS CHARLOTTE TRAIN STABBING SUSPECT WITH FEDERAL CHARGES

President Donald Trump says the suspect in Iryna Zarutska's murder should face the death penalty. (Bonnie Cash/UPI/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Trump also placed blame for Zarutska's killing on former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who is now running for the Senate in battleground North Carolina in a crucial 2026 showdown that may determine if Republicans keep control of the chamber.

UKRAINIAN WOMAN WHO FLED WAR STABBED TO DEATH AT CHARLOTTE LIGHT RAIL STATION

The Charlotte killing came amid Trump's focus this summer on spotlighting horrific crimes in Democrat-controlled cities as he moves federal law enforcement into urban areas.

Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death on a Charlotte light rail car. (Instagram/lucaveros225 | Peter Zay/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Brown, who is Black, was arrested soon after the stabbing and charged with first-degree murder. On Tuesday, the Department of Justice charged Brown with one count of committing an act causing death on a mass transportation system.

According to police records, he was arrested 14 times over the past 12 years.

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Fox News' Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report

Anders Hagstrom is a reporter with Fox News Digital covering national politics and major breaking news events. Send tips to [email protected], or on Twitter: @Hagstrom_Anders.