During that same meeting, President Trump also threatened to “destroy” the career of a Texas state senator, after Texas Sheriff Harold Eavenson complained about the senator’s proposed legislation.

Sheriff Harold Eavenson: “We’ve got a state senator in Texas that was talking about introducing legislation to require conviction before we can receive that forfeiture money.”

President Donald Trump: “Can you believe that?”

Sheriff Harold Eavenson: “And I told him that the cartel would build a monument to him in Mexico if he could get that legislation passed.”

President Donald Trump: “Who is the state senator? Do you want to give his
name? We’ll destroy his career.”

Asset forfeiture is a controversial law enforcement practice where police can seize property that belongs to people suspected of crimes, even if they are never convicted. A New Yorker investigation shows local police have, at times, used asset forfeiture as a “cash-for-freedom” deal, in which police seize cash, cars and homes from people who are never even charged with a crime. The proposed legislation would require people to be convicted of a crime before the police are allowed to seize their property.