Schumer accuses Trump of ‘skipping town’ during shutdown as president heads to Asia for trade talks
In a striking moment of political tension, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) publicly criticized President Donald Trump for embarking on a weeklong trip to Asia amidst the ongoing government shutdown, which has become the longest in American history. As Trump departed for Malaysia, Japan, and South Korea, Schumer accused him of “skipping town” and abandoning his responsibilities while federal workers struggle without pay and families face rising healthcare costs. Schumer’s statement underscored the frustration of many Democrats, who feel that the President is neglecting pressing domestic issues in favor of international engagements.
The shutdown, which began earlier this month, has left both parties at an impasse, with each side blaming the other for the stalemate. Schumer emphasized that Democrats have repeatedly sought to negotiate a bipartisan solution with Trump, but have been met with silence. He urged Congressional Republicans to step up in the President’s absence, calling on them to collaborate across party lines to find a resolution that would reopen the government and address the healthcare crisis affecting millions of Americans. “Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do,” Schumer stated, highlighting the disconnect between the administration’s priorities and the needs of the public during this crisis.
While Trump is in Asia, he is expected to engage in discussions on trade relations, particularly concerning the ongoing trade war with China and the implications of Beijing’s export controls on rare-earth minerals, which are vital for various technologies. Additionally, the President plans to reaffirm America’s commitment to its allies in the region. However, the timing of his trip has raised questions about leadership and accountability, as many Americans are left wondering how their government can function effectively when its leaders are preoccupied with international matters while domestic issues remain unresolved. As the shutdown continues, the pressure mounts on all parties to find a way forward that prioritizes the needs of the American people.
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Senate Minority Leader
Chuck Schumer
, D-N.Y., on Friday accused President Donald Trump of “skipping town” for a trip to Asia during the ongoing government shutdown.
Trump departed for Asia Friday night for a weeklong trip that will include stops in Malaysia, Japan and South Korea. Republicans and Democrats remain divided on negotiations to end the shutdown that began earlier this month, with each side blaming the other as the GOP controls the White House and both chambers of Congress.
“In the midst of the
longest full government shutdown
in American history — a crisis of his own making — President Trump’s priorities are severely misplaced,” Schumer said in a statement.
TRUMP SAYS SCHUMER, SENATE DEMOCRATS HOLDING GOVERNMENT ‘HOSTAGE’ WITH SHUTDOWN: ‘WE WILL NOT BE EXTORTED’
“While Americans are struggling to make ends meet, federal workers are going without pay, and millions of families are bracing for soaring health care costs, the President is leaving the country,” he continued.
Schumer added: “America is shut down and the President is skipping town.”
The senator said Democrats have sought to meet with Trump, but that the president is “abandoning” his responsibilities.
“Democrats have asked, again and again, for President Trump to meet with us to negotiate a bipartisan deal that would address the healthcare crisis, and find a path forward to reopen the government. But instead of doing his job, President Trump is abandoning it,” Schumer said.
Schumer also called on
GOP lawmakers
in Congress to work across the aisle to reach a deal to end the shutdown.
“With the President out of the country, the responsibility falls squarely on Congressional Republicans to act — to come to the table, to do their jobs, and to deliver an agreement that reopens the government and protects Americans from another health care disaster,” he said.
“Americans deserve a government that works as hard as they do— not a leader that flies away from responsibility at the time they need one most,” the top Senate Democrat added.
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While in Asia, Trump is expected to meet with regional allies about trade, including the trade war with China, as well as Beijing’s tightening of export controls on rare-earth minerals critical for certain technologies.
The president is also expected to address security in the region and to affirm America’s commitment to
supporting its allies
.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
