Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will introduce a resolution rejecting former President Trump's call to "defund" the main Justice Department and the FBI. It's an effort to force Republicans to choose between an unpopular stance or breaking with Trump, a reversal from the usual dynamic of the 118th Congress, Axios reports. House Republicans have been forcing Democrats into tough votes on crime, COVID and sustainable investing with legislation that can be forced to the floor of the Democratic-controlled Senate. This time, Senate Democrats are using their majority to put Republicans into a bind.
Schumer told senators in both parties on Tuesday that he will offer a resolution condemning Trump's "defund" calls when the Senate returns from recess next week. The resolution, shared in the letter, "recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of Federal law enforcement agencies." It rejects Trump's attempts "to degrade public trust in Federal law enforcement agencies for attempted political or legal benefit." Trump, who is under investigation by a DOJ special counsel over his handling of classified documents and actions related to Jan. 6, has posted to social media calling to defund the agencies "until they come to their senses." Some Biden-district Republicans have rejected the idea. "It's not going to happen. We have a country to run," said Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.). Republicans have spent years tying Democrats to the "defund the police" slogan embraced by the party's left flank and Democrats are eager to give them a taste of their own medicine.