President Donald Trump’s request for Congress to extend his control over the police force in Washington, D.C., has faced strong opposition from Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. In a recent interview, Schumer made it clear that his party would fight hard to stop the president’s effort from becoming permanent, vowing to resist it with full energy.
During an interview on The Parnas Perspective, Schumer was asked about the Democratic Party’s stance on the president’s request for an extension. His response was “No f‑‑‑ing way, we’ll fight him tooth and nail.… He needs to get Congress to approve it, and not only are we not going to approve it, but there are some Republicans who don’t like it either.”
This statement comes as the president seeks to continue his authority over the city’s police, which was originally approved for only 30 days under the Home Rule Act. Democrats have promised to challenge the president’s actions at every opportunity.
Trump won’t take DC for much longer without push back
Schumer also argued that the president’s focus on the D.C. police is a deliberate distraction. He connected the move to other concerns, specifically mentioning issues related to Jeffrey Epstein, saying, “This is, again, just a distraction. He’s afraid of Epstein. He’s afraid of all that, and we are not going to give up on Epstein.”
Meanwhile, the president publicly confirmed his plan to seek longer control over the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). Speaking to reporters at the Kennedy Center, he explained that 30 days is not enough time to achieve his goals. He said his administration would soon present its case to Congress. The president also claimed that if Congress refuses to cooperate, he has the power to extend his control over the MPD by declaring a national emergency.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer strongly opposed President Trump's request to extend control over D.C. police, stating, "No f‑‑‑ing way." He emphasized that Democrats will fight the move and noted some Republicans share their concerns. pic.twitter.com/htdxsPyrmo
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While he said he would prefer not to take this step, he made it clear he is willing to do so if needed. In his comments, the president predicted a legislative fight, saying, “You can’t have 30 days. We’re going to do this very quickly, but we’re going to want extensions. I don’t want to call a national emergency, but if I have to, I will.”
Democrats may oppose his efforts to reduce crime, but he expects most Republicans to support his plan. His proposal includes a new crime bill targeting D.C. first, with the goal of using it as a model for other parts of the country.
The president’s actions are part of a larger effort to address crime and homelessness in the nation’s capital, which he announced the previous week. This effort has included sending in the National Guard and federal law enforcement, as well as placing the MPD under federal control.
