Sen. Booker: Democrats ‘complicit’ in Trump agenda, Klobuchar fires back

WASHINGTON, DC (FOX 9) – In a tense debate on the Senate Floor on Tuesday evening, Democratic Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey took issue with fellow senators, including Minnesota’s Amy Klobuchar, over what he saw as colleagues being “complicit” in President Trump‘s agenda, specifically in terms of policing reforms.

Democrats debate in Senate

What we know:

The back-and-forth occurred after Sen. Booker objected to a motion from Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat representing Nevada, to pass a package of bills related to law enforcement.

At the time, Sen. Booker sought an amendment, citing concern over resources being distributed among law enforcement in the wake of changes to Department of Justice (DOJ) grant programs and awards. An amendment he proposed sought to ensure resources are spread evenly among law enforcement agencies, regardless of state.

Sen. Booker contended that the legislative package up for approval would effectively lend their collective blessing to the Trump administration’s second-term policies that have sought to withhold funding from law enforcement agencies that oppose policies such as cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) efforts.

“What I am tired of is when the President of the United States violates the Constitution, trashes our norms and traditions, and what does the Democratic Party do? Comply?” Booker said in part.

While accusing Sens. Cortez Masto and Klobuchar of “lecturing him” he went on to say that the Democratic Party “needs a wake-up call.”

Klobuchar responds

Dig deeper:

In response to his criticism, Sen. Klobuchar defended the collective package, while also suggesting that Booker should have presented the amendment during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing weeks earlier – which he missed.

“I can’t help it if someone couldn’t change their schedule to be there,” she fired back as part of their exchange. “I like to show up at the markups and I like to make my case.”

‘The Democratic Party is kind of lost’

What they’re saying:

FOX 9 spoke with University of Minnesota Political Scientist Larry Jacobs, and Hamline University Professor David Schultz about the exchange.

Jacobs said Klobuchar and Booker were at each other’s throats.

“Usually the Democrats try to huddle up and work as a team, not [Tuesday] afternoon, they were really at each other‘s throats,” Jacobs said. “[Tuesday] was a disaster for the party. It was a public embarrassment. It reveals for all to see the continuing deep divisions within the Democratic Party.

“The Democrats are clearly at a loss, the defeat in November put them on their heels. They’ve been searching for an identity that would bring the party together and also appeal to America,” Jacobs said.

Schultz said the exchange is an indication the Democratic Party is lost, and it’s out of Klobuchar’s character.

“It’s a party that’s clearly divided at this point. It’s unusual for her because she usually tries to play a game of working with everybody,” Schultz said.

In a statement to FOX 9, Klobuchar’s office called it “Simply democracy in action.”

“Senator Booker’s concern wasn’t on the substance of my bipartisan police bill or the other bills – which are cosponsored by many Democrats, including Senators Durbin, Warnock, Hirono and more – but on a separate funding issue. I look forward to working with my Republican cosponsors and Senator Booker on a resolution to this issue. He and I will continue to fight together against the abuses of this Administration.”

What’s next:

With Republicans maintaining control of both the House and Senate, Democrats have sought to unify their own policies in an effort to block Trump agenda priorities.