Schumer accuses Trump of ‘skipping town’ during shutdown as president heads to Asia for trade talks
In a sharp rebuke of President Donald Trump’s decision to embark on a weeklong trip to Asia amid the ongoing government shutdown, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer accused the president of “skipping town” during a critical time for the nation. The shutdown, which has become the longest in American history, has left federal workers without pay and millions of families facing rising healthcare costs, according to Schumer. He articulated his frustration in a statement, emphasizing that while Americans struggle, Trump is prioritizing international travel over resolving the crisis at home. “America is shut down and the President is skipping town,” Schumer lamented, underscoring the disconnect between the president’s actions and the pressing needs of the American people.
Schumer’s comments reflect the deep partisan divide that has characterized negotiations to end the shutdown, as both Republicans and Democrats blame each other for the impasse. The senator highlighted the Democrats’ attempts to engage Trump in discussions about a bipartisan deal to address the healthcare crisis and reopen the government, only to be met with silence. He urged Congressional Republicans to take the initiative in Trump’s absence, calling on them to collaborate across party lines to find a solution. “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,” Schumer declared, reinforcing the sentiment that the government should prioritize the welfare of its citizens during crises.
While Trump is in Asia, he is expected to engage with regional allies on critical issues such as trade relations, particularly in the context of the ongoing trade war with China. His agenda includes addressing security concerns and reaffirming America’s commitment to its allies in the region. However, Schumer’s remarks serve as a potent reminder of the domestic challenges that remain unresolved, as the political stalemate continues to affect the lives of countless Americans. The situation underscores the urgent need for leadership and cooperation in Congress to navigate the complexities of governance during tumultuous times.
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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 affirm America’s commitment to
supporting its allies
.
Eric
Eric is a seasoned journalist covering US Politics news.
