'If that's how y'all roll!': Panel erupts at GOP strategist over Trump's D.C. 'fantasy'

The panel on CNN's "NewsNight with Abby Phillip" melted down on Wednesday after a GOP strategist backed up one of the president's assertions about crime.

GOP strategist Scott Jennings said President Donald Trump was right to threaten to federalize the District of Columbia because of the district's high crime rate. That claim did not sit well with panelists Nina Turner, a senior fellow at the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy, Substack author Tara Setmayer, and Van Lathan, host of the "Higher Learning" podcast.

"I didn't know, Scott, that my Republican colleagues now believe in bigger government," Turner said. "If that's what they believe in, that the federal government should come in and take over, then let's start with Medicare for all. 68,000 Americans die every year because they're underinsured."

Jennings scoffed at Turner's response.

"If this is how y'all are rollin', then let's roll!" Turner added.

Jennings then brought up the alleged beating of a former DOGE staffer named Edward Coristine and other crimes that have occurred around D.C.

"Republicans have about had it with the violence, and the idea that you can't walk around D.C. right now without getting attacked," Jennings said.

Setmayer added that there is crime in every city, not just in the District of Columbia.

"[Trump] is using this so he can try and assert his imperialistic wannabe fantasy of taking over D.C.," Setmayer said.

Watch the entire clip below or by clicking here.