TRUMP DIGS IN ON D.C. POLICING: The president on Wednesday referred to Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) without naming her ("nice woman"), while sounding much like a mayor himself when he expanded his crime-fighting rhetoric to include his disapproval of potholes, damaged curbs and neglected urban maintenance.
Trump also accused the city government of using "rigged" crime statistics, although the data, which shows a 30-year low in violent crime, comes from the Justice Department.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said the capital will be "essentially crime free" under his watch and hinted that his 30-day federal takeover of the police might last longer than that. "We're going to be asking for extensions on that, long-term extensions, because you can't have 30 days," he said.
But under home rule law, the president would need approval from Congress to extend the temporary federalization of the city's police.
"No f---ing way," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said when asked if Democrats would support an emergency extension. "We'll fight him tooth and nail," the senator told Substack's "The Parnas Perspective," suggesting some unidentified Senate Republicans privately share misgivings about the president's D.C. crime-fighting tactics.
Trump this week deployed 800 National Guard members to bolster crime fighting in Washington, D.C., on an emergency basis through Sept. 25. In a show of force, guard members fanned out to the National Mall to cluster near popular museums. They appeared unarmed. Some posed for photos and chatted with tourists and passersby.
Trump also has taken aim at the homeless population in Washington, ordering the removal of tent encampments and makeshift shelters. He said on social media that he wants the homeless population moved "FAR" from the capital.
Those policies remain vague. Washington's unsheltered residents "will be given the option to leave their encampment, to be taken to a homeless shelter, to be offered addiction or mental health services," White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said this week. Those who refuse "will be susceptible to fines or to jail time," she added.
▪ The Washington Post: D.C. man who threw a wrapped Subway sandwich at police was arrested on Sunday and charged with a felony.
The president said he plans to push for congressional backing of a crime bill that would "pertain initially to D.C." but ultimately become a "very positive example" for other cities.
Trump is girding for post-Labor Day clashes with House and Senate Democrats when lawmakers return to Washington ahead of a Sept. 30 deadline to keep the government funded. Some Democrats, including Schumer, have suggested they would shut down the government over their opposition to GOP rescissions of previously appropriated federal funding.
The president said he's willing to meet with House and Senate Democratic leaders for what would be the first time this year, but he argued their expected opposition made such a sit-down seem fruitless.
"Well, I will, I guess, but it's almost a waste of time to meet because they never approve anything," Trump told reporters on Wednesday.
"If we want money to fight crime, if we want money [for] only good things, just good things — let's not even talk about controversy — they don't want to meet about anything," he added. "They are led by insane people."
Schumer returned fire on social media, using Democrats' messaging to voters that Trump has "no plan to lower costs for hardworking Americans, or stop cuts to health care, veterans and Social Security."
▪ The Hill: Blue-state California will redraw congressional maps after Trump "missed" a deadline, Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Wednesday on social media amid the ongoing redistricting clash sparked by Texas Republicans and Trump over adding House seats to the majority.
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