Really?
"no American should want a device that becomes a safe haven for criminality."
I am an American. My house has walls that protect against outside eyes. My car has a gas pedal, which (on occasion) has led to speeding.
Do I want both of those? Yes, I do. Do I consider myself a criminal? No I don't. Does the government think I'm a criminal? I'll let you know.
In my mind, the tool - whether a gas pedal or encryption - is not criminal in and of itself. Its use is what determines that.