Rep. Wasserman Schultz Criticizes Trump Over National Guard Shooting in Washington, D.C.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Fla., criticized former President Donald Trump for his handling of the recent shooting involving two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., during a CNN interview Friday.
Wasserman Schultz questioned whether the shooter would have traveled across the country to target law enforcement officers if military troops had not been deployed in the nation’s capital. She suggested that Trump should reconsider the policy of deploying military personnel in cities, especially when local law enforcement is capable of managing criminal justice issues.
“Would an individual have flown across the country to target law enforcement officers in Washington, D.C.? And, I mean, the answer is likely no,” Wasserman Schultz said on CNN’s “News Central.” She added that the president’s first thought should have been to reconsider deploying military troops in cities, particularly when such deployments have not been closely coordinated with city leadership.
The representative also emphasized the need to address gun violence and ensure strict vetting processes for military personnel assigned to law enforcement roles. She criticized Trump for not taking responsibility for his policies, stating, “It’s never the president’s fault or his policies when it comes to his reaction, and it’s pretty disgusting.”
Washington, D.C., has some of the strongest gun control measures in the country. The shooting involved a handgun allegedly brought from Washington State, another area with strict gun laws. Despite concerns raised by Wasserman Schultz, the mayor of Washington, D.C., has reportedly worked with the administration on the deployment of National Guard troops, and crime rates in the city have fallen.
The incident has sparked debate over the role of military forces in domestic law enforcement and the broader issue of gun violence. Wasserman Schultz’s comments have drawn attention for assigning some blame to Trump’s policies rather than focusing solely on the attacker.
Officials have not publicly detailed the outcome of investigations into the shooting or any changes to deployment policies following the incident.
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