President Donald Trump’s executive order on police reforms is receiving a cold reception from Democratic Congressional leaders.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) blasted the order in a statement and called on Republican lawmakers and the president to support the bill put forward by Congressional Democrats.
“The President’s weak Executive Order falls sadly and seriously short of what is required to combat the epidemic of racial injustice and police brutality that is murdering hundreds of Black Americans,” Pelosi said.
She added, “The Executive Order lacks meaningful, mandatory accountability measures to end misconduct. During this moment of national anguish, we must insist on bold change, not meekly surrender to the bare minimum.”
And she touted Democrats’ George Floyd Justice in Policing Act which she said provides “bold, unprecedented reforms to curb police brutality, end racial profiling and end the court-created doctrine of qualified immunity for law enforcement to hold police accountable.”
Pelosi also said the bill would “transform the culture of policing to address systemic racism by holding police accountable and increasing transparency.”
“Democrats urge Congressional Republicans and the White House to join us to support real change. The American people are watching, and they expect us to find common ground to save lives,” she said.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) also panned the order. In a statement, he said, “While the president has finally acknowledged the need for policing reform, one modest executive order will not make up for his years of inflammatory rhetoric and policies designed to roll back the progress made in previous years.”
“Unfortunately, this executive order will not deliver the comprehensive, meaningful change and accountability in our nation’s police departments that Americans are demanding,” he added.
Finally, Schumer called on Congress to “quickly pass strong and bold legislation with provisions that makes it easier to hold police officers accountable for abuses.”
While Pres. Trump's finally acknowledged the need for policing reform—one modest executive order will not make up for his years of inflammatory rhetoric & policies designed to roll back progress
— Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) June 16, 2020
Unfortunately, this executive order will not deliver comprehensive meaningful change pic.twitter.com/JgcjHudgdp
The Democratic leaders’ statements come as lawmakers in the House and Senate are in the process of crafting police reform bills.
On Tuesday, Trump signed an executive order that limits the use of chokeholds, creates a database to track officers who have a history of misconduct, and provides incentives police departments to seek stricter certification for de-escalation training.
Additionally, Trump said more funding would be provided to help police departments handle addiction, homeless, and mental illness.
Trump labelled his order a “big, big step” but also said he is “committed to working with Congress on additional measures.”
He added, “Congress has started already, and they’ll be having bills coming out of the Senate and possibly out of the House. And hopefully, they’ll all get together, and they’ll come up with a solution that goes even beyond what we’re signing today.”