Trump looks at stopping evictions, other issues

WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump said Monday he’s looking at unilaterally taking steps to stop tenant evictions and that such a plan might be necessary if a deal for a new coronavirus relief bill is not reached.

“A lot of people are going to be evicted, but I’m going to stop it … ,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “I have a lot of powers with respect to executive orders, and we’re looking at that very seriously right now.” He did not specify what those powers were.

Trump’s comments came after The Washington Post reported that his administration was eyeing steps it could take without Congress if no deal is reached. Internal planning is a reflection of some officials’ pessimistic outlook for talks with congressional Democrats.

Pressure is increasing for a bill after expanded federal unemployment benefits expired for about 30 million workers on Friday and a moratorium on housing evictions also expired recently.

Trump spoke as the latest round of negotiations was underway in the office of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. The meeting with Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows lasted about two hours.

The group has met nearly daily for the past week, with limited progress. Democrats are holding out for a wide-ranging $3 trillion bill, while Trump administration officials had been pushing a shortterm fix for unemployment benefits, evictions and a few other issues.