(NewsNation) — Former Rep. Barbara Lee (D), now the mayor of Oakland, Calif., is pushing back on President Trump’s comments about the city, calling it “fearmongering.”
“The truth is, our crime rate is coming down,” Lee told NewsNation. “Do we have more work to do? Absolutely, yes, but this doesn’t make any sense.”
“He’s fearmongering and trying to distract from his difficulties he’s having,” she continued. “Militarizing a city is unconstitutional.”
Lee added that the city is working with attorneys to make sure they’re ready for anything should Trump try to federalize its police force and bring in the National Guard.
According to the Oakland Police Department, overall crime in the city is down 29 percent, with homicides down 24 percent and robberies and burglaries down 46 percent. Lee said federal funding cuts to violence prevention programs in the city were confusing, as it is effective in the city.
“We hope that he does what’s right, and that’s partnering with us and making sure that we stop disinvesting in health care, housing and jobs and violence prevention efforts and help us by being a good partner to instead invest in these efforts,” Lee said.
Trump’s threat to federalize Oakland police comes as the police force in Washington was federalized last week to help stop crime, according to the Trump administration.
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