Schumer to Introduce Resolution Condemning Trump’s Call to Defund DOJ, FBI

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) speaks briefly to reporters after a meeting with President Joe Biden at the U.S. Capitol in Washington on March 2, 2023. Drew Angerer/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) announced on April 11 that he will introduce a resolution to condemn former President Donald Trump’s call to defund the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

In a letter to colleagues, Schumer said he would introduce the resolution next week. Congress returns on April 17 from a two-week recess.

“Donald Trump’s call for defunding federal law enforcement agencies is a baseless, self-serving broadside against the men and women who keep our nation safe,” said Schumer.

“The good work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Justice sends criminals to prison for bank robbery, sex trafficking, child pornography, hate crimes, terrorism, fraud, and so much more,” he continued.

“The former president and his allies in Congress must not subjugate justice and public safety because of their own personal grievances.”

On April 5, one day after being arraigned on a 34-count indictment—to which he pleaded not guilty, over his alleged role in the payment of hush money to adult film actress Stormy Daniels during the final weeks of the 2016 presidential campaign—Trump railed against America’s top law enforcement agencies.

“Republicans in Congress should defund the DOJ and FBI until they come to their senses. The Democrats have totally weaponized law enforcement in our country and are viciously using this abuse of power to interfere with our already under siege elections!” Trump posted on his social media site, Truth Social.

“Senators from across the political spectrum and of both political parties should denounce such attempts by the former president and his allies to degrade public trust in our federal law enforcement agencies,” wrote Schumer.

“The Senate must recommit that the United States is a nation of laws. As free people, we rely on the necessary and professional work of our federal law enforcement agencies to promote the safety and general welfare of our country.”

The resolution, according to Schumer, will state that the Senate “recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of Federal law enforcement agencies who keep the communities of the United States and the United States safe”; “condemns calls to ‘defund’ the Department of Justice and Federal Bureau of Investigation”; and “rejects partisan attempts by former President Donald J. Trump and his allies to degrade public trust in federal law enforcement agencies for attempted political or legal benefit.”

No GOP senators have echoed Trump’s call, but a few GOP members of the House have. They include Reps. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.), Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), and Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.).