The White House on Wednesday called into question Sen. Chuck Schumer’s credibility when it comes to national security, after Schumer and other New York politicians have said the Obama administration is short-changing the Big Apple’s counter-terrorism fund.
In addressing those complaints, White House spokesman Josh Earnest also took a shot at Schumer, saying it’s unclear how much Schumer should be trusted on security at all, given his opposition to the Iran nuclear agreement.
“I will also just say that at some point, Senator Schumer’s credibility in talking about national security issues, particularly when the facts are as they are when it relates to homeland security, has to be affected by the position that he’s taken on other issues,” Earnest said as he chided the Senate’s third-ranking Democrat.
“Senator Schumer is somebody that came out and opposed the international agreement to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. He was wrong about that position. And most Democrats disagreed with him in taking that position.”
“And when people look at the facts here when it comes to funding for homeland security, they’ll recognize that he’s wrong this time, too,” Earnest added.
Earnest also said the Obama administration is dedicated to New York’s security and noted that the Homeland Security Department’s 2016 contribution to its counterterrorism fund represents twice the amount that city officials withdrew from the account in the last two years.
“So, there are ample resources that are available, and those ample resources are available and provided by the Obama administration because of our ironclad commitment to the safety and security of New York and communities all across the country,” Earnest said.
The slam against Schumer comes as Republicans are using the Judiciary Committee member’s remarks to justify blocking President Obama from seating a third justice on the Supreme Court.
In 2007, Schumer advised fellow Democrats to prevent President George W. Bush from appointing a third judge to the high court.
