This is the latest attempt to distract from the fact that COVID-19 has infected over 6 million Americans, killed 185,000 people, and destroyed the American economy.

The only anarchy zone in America, where the rule of law is disregarded, is at the White House. https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/1301315810485579776

Seattle and cities across America have faced unprecedented challenges with a global pandemic, an economic crisis and a civil rights reckoning. We have lost a record number of American lives, jobs and businesses.

At every turn we badly needed leadership from the President. Yet we have the opposite. No protection for our health care workers, first responders, our small businesses or our local governments who have been on the frontlines of these crises.

For years, he has raged at cities and threatened them. Consistently Courts have reminded him he does not have the powers of a despot and is not above the law. Now his bluster continues by threatening to deny federal funding (including COVID-19 funding) for millions of Americans.

The President’s actions continually harm cities and the millions of residents who live there. At a time when our nation desperately needs healing, a cure to the virus and a federal government to lead us through this crisis, the President invents yet another way to divide.

President Trump cannot defund Seattle – it is unlawful. Surely the Attorney General has advised the President of the United States that he does not have the power to decide who gets funding based on his political interests.

America’s cities will not be distracted by his actions.  We will continue to work to bridge divides, rebuild our economy, address gun violence and systemic racism, and make our cities more just and equitable.