Fmr. Policy Director for Chuck Schumer: If People Are Afraid of Coming to D.C., Go to Disney World and Get Fat

ROBERTS: “So, let me ask you quickly just about what Marc said. This idea of Hakeem Jeffries saying, why is Donald Trump taking over the D.C. police? Why is Donald Trump trying to make Washington, D.C., a safer place? Do you feel safe here? Honestly?”

KESSLER: “I’ve lived in this town for 37 years. I am repulsed by what Donald Trump is doing right now, federalizing what’s going on, you know.”

ROBERTS: “But do you feel safe here?”

KESSLER: “I feel safe in this city. I live in a neighborhood —“

ROBERTS: “Because I look over my shoulder every day.”

KESSLER: “Well, maybe you look over you shoulder, but I’ll tell you something. Here are two things that could be done to make this city safer. $1.1 billion was stolen from D.C. in the last budget bill. Give us that money back. We are down 400 police officers from last —“

ROBERTS: “900.”

KESSLER: “— from last year, OK?”

ROBERTS: “From last year, OK.”

KESSLER: “And 900 from our peak because stealing our money away. So let’s —“

ROBERTS: “It had nothing to do with defunding the police?”

KESSLER: “No, no, it had nothing to do with defunding the police.”

ROBERTS: “OK.”

KESSLER: “It had to do with taking our money away, our taxpayer dollars here. If people are afraid to come to D.C., go to Disney World, get fat, eat French fries. I don’t care. I’ve lived here 37 years.”

ROBERTS: “Whoa.”

KESSLER: “I am not afraid. I live in the city. I’m not afraid of this city. If you’re afraid, go ahead. Leave your fear someplace else.”

SHORT: “I don’t think D.C. has a great record of fiscal stewardship. So, you know.”