Republicans are licking their chops at the prospect that Senate Democrats will vote to block an extension of President Trump’s federalization of the Washington, D.C., police force, relishing a chance to tag their opponents as soft on crime.

Democrats have been angry over Trump's move, which aligns with what they see as authoritarian impulses from the president. Democrats also widely back the Home Rule Act, which allows D.C.'s local government a form of self-rule.

But voting against an extension will definitely lead to attacks by Trump and other Republicans that Democrats are looking away from the problem of crime in cities — which are generally led by Democratic mayors.

“I am slack-jawed at how Democrats are sprinting into another trap set by Trump. This is so clear and yet they can’t help themselves,” said Matt Gorman, a GOP strategist. “Democrats love to quote studies and charts and academics to tell people they’re not feeling what they’re feeling and Republicans are contrasting that with action, and action is going to win every time.”

Democrats don’t appear to be all that worried about walking into a trap by voting against extending Trump’s power over the D.C. police.

“No f‑‑‑ing way,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in an interview Wednesday when asked about an extension.

“We’ll fight him tooth and nail. … He needs to get Congress to approve it, and not only are we not going to approve it, but there are some Republicans who don’t like it........

© The Hill