WATCH: On Senate Floor, Kelly Talks About DHS Accountability and Funding

“Two Americans are dead at the hands of their government. That should demand the highest levels of accountability. It’s that simple.”

Today, Arizona Senator Mark Kelly took to the Senate floor to discuss the urgent need to bring accountability to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and his opposition to the agency’s funding this week.

Kelly also highlighted his Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act, legislation to set clear use-of-force standards, increase transparency, and strengthen accountability for immigration enforcement operations—protecting communities while ensuring officers can safely address public safety and national security concerns.

This comes as Americans watched deeply disturbing videos of federal immigration agents sowing chaos across communities, including the killing of Renée Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Sen. Kelly speaks on the Senate floor.

Kelly called for accountability for the killings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti: “Two Americans are dead at the hands of their government. That should demand the highest levels of accountability. It is that simple. Instead, this administration has lied to the American people.

“They have slandered these Americans as terrorists. They have told us not to believe what we see with our own eyes. They blamed Alex Pretti because he was in lawful possession of a firearm. They have tried to block investigations into what happened.”

Kelly warned of ICE’s violations of Americans’ rights, in Phoenix and around the country: “We also know that these are not isolated incidents. Just the other day, ICE conducted a series of workplace raids at a sports bar in Phoenix. Places where families go to just have some wings and to watch the game. The agents wore masks and tactical gear. And I watched a video of ICE officers doing a drive by, spraying a woman in the face who was just standing on the sidewalk They sprayed her with mace. She was not doing anything wrong. They violated her constitutional rights.

“These are the actions of a rogue agency that is storming cities, violating the constitutional rights of Americans, and creating volatile situations where tragedies happen. This is not making Americans safer. It is clearly doing the opposite thing. And it has to stop.”

Kelly underscored the importance of the rule of law while protecting citizens: “I am the son of two police officers. From a very young age, I learned that law enforcement should exist to serve and protect people. We can enforce our laws without this chaos. We can enforce our laws without federal agents killing people in the streets of American cities.”

Kelly urged Republicans and Democrats to act: “We should demand that, as Senators, as Republicans and Democrats, as Americans. We should all demand better and we should use our power to make it happen.

“That’s why I will not vote for the Department of Homeland Security budget this week, because that agency needs and overhaul from the top down and the bottom up. That’s why the head of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, and the guy who everyone knows is calling the shots and running the show, Stephen Miller, both of them should be out of jobs because they have lost the trust of the American people.”

Kelly highlighted his bill to curb excessive force and require basic accountability from ICE: “I introduced the Stop Excessive Force in Immigration Act to rein in and stop this abuse of power. This bill sets limits on the use of force and the use of firearms by immigration agents. It restricts the use of tear gas, flash bangs grenades, and pepper balls. It requires body cameras to be used, and it restricts the use of face masks.

“It requires accountability and transparency, so that when someone is hurt or killed, the American people will get some answers. This is basic stuff. It should be what all Americans expect from law enforcement, and it should be something that both Republicans and Democrats alike can support.”


King, Murkowski Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Permitting Reform for Hydropower Projects

WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senators Angus King (I-ME), a member of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee (ENR), and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have introduced bipartisan legislation to accelerate and reform the permitting process for hydropower and marine energy projects. The Fair Licensing for Operations of Water Structures (FLOWS) Act would better tap hydropower’s full potential by reducing administrative burdens on project developers and making federal decision-making on licensing more efficient.

Current federal permitting processes for hydropower and marine energy projects contain redundancies and inefficiencies that unnecessarily delay project work and increase costs. Under existing requirements, routine maintenance and in-kind replacements at hydropower facilities often require prior approval from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), resulting in months-long delays for activities that do not affect project operations, safety, or environmental performance.

“Hydropower is an integral piece of a successful ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy, but is underutilized due to the existing burdensome permitting process,” said Senator King. “The FLOWS Act is a commonsense step to streamline the licensing and permitting of this crucial renewable energy source and can help create reliable, clean, and affordable energy for Maine people and Americans for years to come.”

“Hydropower is one of Alaska’s most abundant resources, providing clean, consistent, and affordable baseload power to communities across our state, but it remains underutilized and subject to unnecessary permitting delays,” said Senator Murkowski. “Operators shouldn’t have to wait months—or even years—for approval to perform routine maintenance or make minor, non-impactful changes. The targeted, practical reforms in my FLOWS Act better reflect how modern hydropower facilities operate and will help lower energy costs for Alaskan families. I’m also proud to lead on the reauthorization of the Water Power Research and Development Act, which will reauthorize the Water Power Technologies Office and ensure the Department of Energy focuses on marine energy across the country for another five years. This Office, which I championed in the Energy Act of 2020, has made seven awards to marine energy projects in Alaska over the last 15 years, helping to broaden our energy portfolio across the state.”

Federal permitting frameworks were developed primarily for large, traditional hydropower facilities and have not kept pace with advances in innovative marine and hydrokinetic energy technologies that generate electricity from tides, waves, and river currents. As a result, these low-impact technologies face regulatory hurdles that were never intended for their scale or design.

The FLOWS Act aims to chart the course for a reformed hydropower and marine energy permitting process through the following improvements:

Releases hydropower project developers from seeking FERC approval for non-substantial alterations or additions; routine maintenance, repair, or replacement; or seasonal or temporary adjustments in response to circumstances beyond the project’s control.

Allows FERC to issue short-term licenses of 10–20 years for micro hydrokinetic energy projects, defined as marine energy projects with under five megawatts of installed capacity.

Establishes a two-year statutory timeline for FERC to act on micro hydrokinetic energy project applications and requires the Commission to promulgate regulations to implement this timeline within 180 days of the bill’s enactment.

Requires FERC to submit a report to Congress on the effects of licensed micro hydrokinetic projects on the environment, economy, and electricity reliability and affordability no later than five years after the bill’s enactment or after the first 50 licensed projects have been operational for one year.

King and Murkowski are joined on the legislation by U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR).

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, Senator King is a national leader in advocating for climate solutions that support Maine communities and has been one of the Senate’s most vocal advocates for improving renewable energy technologies and development as a way to unlock America’s clean energy future. He has repeatedly emphasized the importance of permitting reform to unlocking the promise of clean energy development opportunities created in the historic Inflation Reduction Act . He has stressed the importance of streamlining and speeding project timelines while maintaining environmental standards to the Secretaries of Energy and Interior.

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Klobuchar, Grassley Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Designating January as National Stalking Awareness Month

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced their bipartisan resolution designating January as National Stalking Awareness Month. The resolution raises awareness of the dangers of stalking and highlights the need for law enforcement to prevent this predatory behavior. Approximately 1 in 3 women in the U.S. have experienced stalking at some point in their lives. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI) lead a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

“As a former prosecutor, I have seen firsthand the serious emotional and physical toll stalking can take on victims,” said Klobuchar. “Our bipartisan resolution raises awareness about the dangers of stalking, the need to protect victims, and the resources available to help survivors.”

“Millions of our fellow Americans have suffered the physical and psychological trauma of stalking. I’m glad to join my bipartisan colleagues in raising awareness of this terrible crime and highlighting the essential work of advocates, law enforcement and service workers who support victims and survivors,” Grassley said.

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On Senate Floor, Klobuchar Honors Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Calls on ICE to Leave Minnesota, and Opposes ICE Funding Bill

WATCH KLOBUCHAR’S FULL REMARKS HERE

WASHINGTON — On the Senate floor today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) delivered remarks honoring Renee Good and Alex Pretti, calling for ICE to leave Minnesota, and opposing the ICE funding bill.

“In the last year, we have too often come to the floor to discuss tragedies in our state. This summer, an assassin killed our friend Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark. And we were once again shaken to our core when a mass shooter attacked Annunciation Catholic Church right in the middle of mass. Children in their first week of school — two children murdered, 21 more people injured, including 18 kids.

In recent weeks, Minnesota has once again been at the center of America's heartbreak, but we are also at the center of America's courage and hope.

We honor Renee Good today. Renee Good, who left behind three children, including a six year old when she was shot and killed by an ICE agent. Her wife said this: ‘kindness radiated out of her. … She literally sparkled.’ And asked everyone to ‘honor her memory by living her values: rejecting hate and choosing compassion.’

We also honor the memory of Alex Pretti, a VA intensive care nurse who did one of the most selfless jobs people could think of: caring for our veterans, often in their final hours. A man described by his friends and family as ‘a kindhearted soul.’

Both Renee and Alex should be alive today.

…

Anyone who cares about federalism, about freedoms, about liberties should be horrified by what is happening. If you care about the Constitution, I say to our colleagues on the other side of the aisle, you should be horrified because what is happening in our state has been a violation of the First Amendment, the right to assemble. … The Second Amendment — Alex was a lawful gun owner, but he was immediately criticized for that.… They've been violating the Fourth Amendment, ramming into people's homes without a judicial warrant. … And this administration is going after the Fifth Amendment, the right to due process.

…

There are 3,000 federal officers in Minnesota, and I can not state it more unequivocally: ICE must leave Minnesota.

Law enforcement has made this clear. They can't do their jobs, they can't investigate burglaries, they can't help on some of the complex cases, because they're being called to people's homes all the time, because of the ICE agents hanging around homes of just regular citizens in parking lots, chasing people down local businesses.

Business leaders have come out and said, enough. Police chiefs in our state have joined together. Police chiefs across the nation have joined together and said: we believe in proper police procedures and the rule of law.

But the biggest story out of this is the everyday people, the ordinary people doing extraordinary things. They've rallied together, brought food to their neighbors, drove other kids to school, showed up for small businesses and marched -- 50,000 strong.”

Download Klobuchar's full remarks from HERE.

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Klobuchar Calls on DOJ to Open Civil Rights Investigation into the Death of Renee Good

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), along with every other Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to heed the calls of career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis earlier this month.

In their letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, the Senators emphasize that DOJ’s decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing represents a broader trend of how the Department is neglecting the enforcement of civil rights laws.

The Senators’ letter comes after Assistant AG Dhillon announced that DOJ’s Civil Rights Division would not investigate Ms. Good’s killing—reportedly ignoring the recommendations of career prosecutors, including the head of the Criminal Section, and despite the leading role the Civil Rights Division office normally assumes in investigating potential civil rights violations. The letter was sent last week, before a Border Patrol agent shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

Along with Klobuchar the letter was signed by Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Chris Coons (D-DE), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“Your decision not to investigate the ICE agent’s conduct is a marked departure from past administrations of both parties, which historically have taken swift action to open civil rights reviews of many fatal interactions with law enforcement. These investigations have been conducted even when criminal charges were considered unlikely,” wrote the Senators. “After you informed Division personnel that you would not consider opening an investigation into whether the ICE agent violated federal law, several career prosecutors —including the head of the Criminal Section, which is responsible for these investigations—accelerated planned departures from the Division.”

“Instead of investigating Ms. Good’s killing, DOJ has announced the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota would investigate alleged connections between Ms. Good and her widow and groups that have been monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis. DOJ ordered federal agents to conduct its investigation without Minnesota’s local authorities,” the Senators continued. “Refusing to share investigative materials or permit a joint investigation is highly unusual. Six lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota have also resigned in protest of this investigation.”

The full letter is here and below.

Dear Assistant Attorney General Dhillon:

On January 7, 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two days later, you announced the Division would not investigate the fatal incident—despite the reported request of career prosecutors in your office to do so and despite the leading role your office normally assumes in investigating potential violations of 18 U.S.C. 242.

Your decision not to investigate the ICE agent’s conduct is a marked departure from past administrations of both parties, which historically have taken swift action to open civil rights reviews of many fatal interactions with law enforcement. These investigations have been conducted even when criminal charges were considered unlikely.

According to public reporting, multiple career prosecutors in the Division offered to lead an inquiry into the shooting. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, second-in-command at the Department of Justice (DOJ), reinforced your decision to take an investigation off the table when he publicly claimed there was “no basis” for a civil rights probe into Ms. Good’s death. His assertion is contradicted by a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent’s determination—after an initial review—that sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights investigation into the ICE agent who shot Ms. Good.

After you informed Division personnel that you would not consider opening an investigation into whether the ICE agent violated federal law, several career prosecutors—including the head of the Criminal Section, which is responsible for these investigations—accelerated planned departures from the Division.

Instead of investigating Ms. Good’s killing, DOJ has announced the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota would investigate alleged connections between Ms. Good and her widow and groups that have been monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis. DOJ ordered federal agents to conduct its investigation without Minnesota’s local authorities. Refusing to share investigative materials or permit a joint investigation is highly unusual. Six lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota have also resigned in protest of this investigation.

Your decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing reflects a trend in the Division under your leadership of ignoring the enforcement of civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s political agenda. This trend, combined with apparent political interference in investigative and prosecutorial decisions, undermines public trust, the legitimacy of our institutions, and the rule of law. We urge you to listen to career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Good.

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Luján Applauds Federal Approval of New Mexico’s $382 Million Broadband Plan

Luján Secured Billions of Dollars for New Mexico in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media, issued the following statement on the federal government’s approval of New Mexico’s $382 million broadband infrastructure plan:

“I’m proud to announce the federal approval of New Mexico’s historic $382 million broadband plan, a major step toward achieving 100% connectivity across New Mexico. I helped pass the bipartisan law that created BEAD and have fought to protect it so New Mexico receives the resources our communities need and deserve.

“This investment will deliver reliable, affordable high-speed internet to rural, Tribal, and underserved communities, expanding access to education, health care, and economic opportunity across our state. It’s critical that these investments are put to work without delay.”

During the 117th Congress, Senator Luján, then Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Communications, Media, and Broadband, helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which established the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

Senator Luján has consistently pushed back against the Trump administration’s efforts to weaken or delay BEAD implementation and has worked to ensure New Mexico can use these funds as Congress intended.

In December 2025, Luján urged the Trump administration to preserve states’ ability to use their non-deployment BEAD Program funds consistent with congressional intent and the bipartisan infrastructure law.

In July 2025, Luján called on National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Administrator Arielle Roth to fully implement the BEAD Program as authorized and funded by Congress.

In June 2025, Luján and more than 40 colleagues urged Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to fully implement the BEAD program to connect all Americans to high-quality, affordable internet.

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Luján to President Trump: Fire Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller

Washington, D.C. – This week, following the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, U.S. Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) issued statements condemning the violence, opposing the Homeland Security funding bill without real accountability, and demanding the resignation or firing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller.

As a then-U.S. Representative, Luján called for Miller’s firing as far back as 2019. Senator Luján opposed the confirmation of Secretary Noem and called on her to resign in June 2025 following the forcible removal of Senator Alex Padilla from a press conference in his home state.

January 28th: “Here’s a thought: Fire them both.”

January 27th: “Stephen Miller is the architect of some of the worst and most dangerous of the Trump administration’s policies. This includes the chaos in Minnesota. I called for his firing years ago, but he continues to serve in this White House. When will enough be enough? He should be fired.”

January 27th: “No one is above the law or accountability. Secretary Noem should resign or be fired, but President Trump continues to stand by even his most dangerous administration officials. The House is right to move forward with an investigation into Secretary Noem. Americans deserve accountability and transparency.”

January 26th: “The American people saw with their own eyes a U.S. citizen shot and killed by President Trump’s federal agents. Yet this administration continues to lie and cover up what happened. What must happen now: a full and independent investigation; Kristi Noem and Stephen Miller must resign or be fired; and not another dollar for Noem’s DHS without real accountability.”

January 24th: “Kristi Noem and Donald Trump’s ICE is out of control and terrorizing our communities. With multiple deadly shootings of American citizens by federal agents in Minnesota and no accountability, I will not support an appropriations bill that funds DHS without real oversight, transparency, and consequences. President Trump, Kristi Noem, and Stephen Miller are making our communities and all Americans less safe. Enough is enough.”

January 24th: “Sickened by what just happened in Minneapolis. Another person was shot and killed by Trump and Noem’s ICE agents. Senate Republicans cannot keep pretending that this is normal or isn’t happening. ICE is terrorizing neighborhoods, entering homes without warrants, not allowing local law enforcement to do their job, and now another person is dead. Republicans: Stand up to President Trump to put an end to this. No more bullshit. No more excuses.”

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CBO Tells Merkley: Trump’s Brazen National Guard Deployment to American Cities Has So Far Cost U.S. Taxpayers Upwards of $589 Million

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) told U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, that President Donald Trump’s brazen decision to deploy National Guard personnel to U.S. cities, including Portland, has cost taxpayers upwards of $589 million to date. If these deployments continue at current levels, they will cost an additional $93 million per month. Furthermore, for each additional Guard unit that is activated in the future, costs will increase by $18-21 million per 1,000 soldiers. Trump has previously ordered troops into major cities across the country, including Portland, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Chicago, and Memphis.

Following Trump’s directive that national guard troops will stay in Washington D.C. for the remainder of 2026, CBO estimates this deployment alone will cost taxpayers upwards of $660 million. If the administration continues the Guard deployment to Memphis and the 200 Texas National Guard troops remain active for all of 2026, as expected, and keeps personnel deployed to New Orleans for two additional months, that figure balloons to $1.1 billion.

“The American people deserve to know how many hundreds of millions of their hard-earned dollars have been and are being wasted on Trump’s reckless and haphazard deployment of National Guard troops to Portland and cities across the country,” said Merkley, Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee. “That’s why we’ve called for this full, independent analysis by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office to get a detailed understanding of the cost. Trump is weaponizing taxpayer funds to illegally tighten his authoritarian grip on our communities. It must end.”

This startling waste of taxpayer dollars was brought to light due to a letter that Merkley led requesting that CBO analyze the costs of activating, deploying, and compensating National Guard personnel, as well as the cost to sustain and maintain these deployments. U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR) cosigned the letter.

Recently, CBO told Merkley that the Trump Administration could spend upwards of $125 million in its attempt to rename the Department of Defense (DOD). Similar to Trump’s attempt to rename the Kennedy Center after himself, without action by Congress to pass legislation to legally rename DOD, the President’s executive order is an unofficial and symbolic designation.

In October, Merkley also joined his colleagues in demanding an inquiry from DOD’s Inspector General into these domestic deployments of active-duty and National Guard troops and underscored the illegality of such actions, which undermine military readiness and politicize the nation’s military.

The full response from CBO can be found HERE.

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Merkley, Durbin, Peters Lead Amicus Brief Urging Circuit Court to Affirm the Critical Protections of Minors in Immigration Detention

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Senate Budget Committee, Dick Durbin (D-IL), Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Gary Peters (D-MI), Ranking Member of the Senate Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs Committee led a group of 23 Senators in filing an amicus brief to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals urging the Court to uphold the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement, which sets critical minimum standards for children in immigration detention and continues to be the single most effective protection for detained noncitizen children.

Merkley, Durbin, and Peters are filing the amicus brief in the Ninth Circuit case, Flores v. Bondi, where the opponents claim that the detention funding in the Republican’s “One, Big Beautiful Bill Act” overrode the protections provided in the 1997 Flores Settlement Agreement. The amicus brief rejects the government’s baseless claims and explains that the reconciliation process cannot be used for such policy overhauls and that such a policy override would have been stricken from the bill.

The amicus brief states, “Appellants’ reliance on the OBBB Act as evidence of changed circumstances rests on a fundamental misunderstanding of the budget reconciliation process and its constraints. Because the bill was enacted through reconciliation, its provisions were limited to budgetary matters—appropriations for detention capacity, not changes to legal standards governing detention. A provision terminating the Settlement would be a major substantive policy change that could not have survived the reconciliation process. Accordingly, the OBBB Act cannot constitute a changed circumstance warranting termination of the Settlement.

“Appellants argue that by appropriating funds for family residential centers, Congress expressed approval of family detention. But Section 90003 did not authorize any new program or establish any new directive with respect to detention—it appropriated money for detention capacity already authorized by law. Courts should not infer that an appropriation implicitly repeals substantive law.

“The distinction between appropriating funds and amending substantive law matters enormously in the reconciliation context. Congress appropriated $45 billion for detention capacity, including family residential centers. But this appropriation does not supersede whatever legal standards otherwise govern such detention. Accordingly, the OBBB Act’s appropriation for detention capacity does not authorize detention of children in violation of the Flores Settlement, eliminate licensing requirements for facilities, or repeal the other substantive protections secured by the Settlement. Congress regularly appropriates funds for activities that remain subject to independent legal requirements. Appropriating money for federal construction projects does not exempt those projects from environmental review. Appropriating money to expand the federal workforce does not displace existing collective bargaining agreements. And appropriating money for detention does not eliminate the legal standards governing how that detention must be conducted—including the Settlement’s requirements for the treatment of children,” the lawmakers continued.

In addition to Merkley, Durbin, and Peters, the amicus brief was signed by U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Cathrine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

The full amicus brief the lawmakers filed to the Ninth Circuit can be found HERE.

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VIDEO: Sen. Moran Honors Victims of Flight 5342 on Senate Floor One Year After DCA Tragedy

Sen. Moran’s full remarks as prepared:

“Mr. President, I rise today to recognize and honor the 67 lives we lost nearly one year ago on January 29th, 2025.

“On that night, Flight 5342 took off from Wichita, Kansas and flew toward our nation’s capital with 64 on board.

“In Washington, D.C., a Black Hawk helicopter with three Army soldiers would soon be in the air as well.

“Flight 5342 was just minutes away from a safe landing at Reagan National Airport, when the plane and Army helicopter collided over the Potomac River.

“Shortly after 9:00 pm, I received a call with the news that a flight from Kansas was involved in an accident in our nation’s capital. As I made my way to Reagan National Airport that night, the banks of the Potomac River were illuminated with lights from emergency responders who were searching the icy water of a crash site.

“At the airport, I was joined by local leaders and newly sworn in Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy. Our conversation that night was one of many that would span the course of the following year trying to understand how an accident like this could occur and how to prevent it from happening again.

“At the airport we learned the tragic news that there were no survivors. Of those who perished, seven were Kansans:

“Kiah Duggins – a civil rights attorney and Wichita native – was set to begin teaching at Howard University School of Law.

“Lindsey Fields – a professor at Butler Community College and the president-elect of the National Association of Biology Teachers – was traveling to our nation’s capital to advocate for the issues that mattered to her.

“Bob and Lori Schrock – farmers from Kiowa, Kansas – were on their way to visit their daughter at college in Pennsylvania.

“Grace Maxwell – an engineering student from Wichita – was returning to college after attending her grandfather’s funeral in Kansas.

“Dustin Miller, an IT professional who grew up in El Dorado and was a lifelong Chiefs fan, told his mom he was going to try to make it back in time to watch his team play in the Super Bowl.

“P.J. Diaz, of Wichita, was described by his loved ones as a world traveler who had been to 49 states. He especially loved cruises and had an extra-long cruise planned for later in the year.

“Sadly, 28 members of the U.S. Figure Skating community also lost their lives – young athletes traveling back from a National Development Camp in Wichita with their coaches and family members.

“Maxim Naumov, a 24-year-old U.S. figure skater, lost both his parents, in the accident.

“In the wake of this tragedy, Maxim used his love of skating to overcome immense loss and now heads to the 2026 Olympic games, just weeks away, to achieve the lifelong dream he had shared with his parents. We all will be cheering him on.

“A year later, the memory of this night, the deadliest aviation incident that America has witnessed in nearly 25 years, is as painful as it was when we first heard the news. The victims were husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, sons and daughters, friends and coworkers.

“As we mourn the victims, we also remember the heroism, solidarity and love displayed that night. Hundreds of first responders worked tirelessly through the night and into the coming days. Strangers offered comfort, and people checked on their neighbors.

“Since January 29th, the families of the victims have tried to find meaning and purpose after the death of their loved ones and worked to eliminate the likelihood of an accident like this ever happening again.

“One family in particular, Tim and Sheri Lilley, lost their son, Sam, a co-pilot for Flight 5342. Following the tragic accident, the Lilley family have used their voice to become advocates for safer skies in honor of their son, Sam.

“I’m grateful for the advocacy of the families of the victims over the last year as they worked to advocate for changes at FAA and congressional legislation like the ROTOR Act.

“Thanks to their support, the Senate advanced this critical legislation last year. This was an important step, but our progress has been stalled in the House. The National Transportation Safety Board’s hearing just yesterday further confirmed that this legislation could have made a difference on January 29th.

“We cannot afford to waste any more time. I urgently insist the House of Representative quickly pass this legislation or amend it and pass it so we can find consensus.

“I want to commend the NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and her team on their thorough investigation into the crash. Their report will guide Congress in the coming weeks in our efforts to ensure the safety of our skies.

“In addition to passing and implementing ROTOR Act, Congress must hold a hearing after the NTSB releases its final written report to review the findings and recommendations of the NTSB, determine what, if any, congressional action is necessary to implement these recommendations and make certain the FAA and Army are making the recommended changes, provide funding for further modernization of our aviation system, advance new technology at the FAA and train and support air traffic controllers.

“We cannot miss the moment to act and ensure lasting change.

“I cannot imagine the pain each of the families of the victims has experienced every day since January 29th. This week, their loss must be felt especially hard as they face the anniversary of the plane crash.

“Tonight, I want to remember those who perished. Sixty-seven lives that ended too soon.

“Today, we resolve to honor their legacy, work to make our skies safer and remember those we loved who lost their lives.”

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Murphy Floor Speech On DHS Funding Fight: The American People Demand Action

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, on Wednesday took to the floor of the U.S. Senate to lay out why Democrats and Republicans must act now to rein in an out-of-control Department of Homeland Security engaging in daily, systematic violations of the law, that have sowed widespread chaos in our cities and left multiple American citizens dead. Murphy pushed his colleagues to condition funding for DHS on an overhaul of the agency’s lawless, secret police enforcement practices, with serious accountability measures.

Murphy stressed Trump’s panicked reshuffling of DHS leadership in Minneapolis is not sufficient to rein in the agency’s lawlessness: “There's a lot of ink spilled over the last 24 hours about the administration's de-escalation in Minneapolis, substituting one leader for another… But if you talk to our colleagues from Minnesota, they will tell you that nothing has changed. Today is just like yesterday in a nursery school. Today, there's blinds down, recess canceled, signs on the door… Kids don't know what's going on as they are ushered in by escorts to their nursery school classroom, they are made to feel like prisoners inside. Why? Because there are masked, armed men hunting them.”

Murphy reiterated Americans overwhelmingly support Democrats’ stand against DHS’ misconduct: “People all across this country are demanding that if we are going to fund the Department of Homeland Security, we only fund a department that is acting lawfully and morally…This seems to be a moment where the country has just decided that what's happening in Minneapolis is wrong. The country would like us to come together on a series of reforms that will make it less likely that there will be another murder in cold blood of an American citizen. And right now, we are on a pace for it to happen again… There are more ICE officers in Minneapolis than there are police officers. The police aren't even doing their job any longer, because all they do is respond to problems that are being created by untrained, unqualified ICE officers. I think we can find a way to come together on a set of reforms that the American people are demanding.”

Ahead of the funding deadline, Murphy underscored Democrats are coming to the table with common-sense reforms that Republicans should support: “What we're talking about here [are] really reasonable things that, frankly, should unite Republicans and Democrats. I have a much longer list of reforms that I want. The illegality is just off the charts of the Department of Homeland Security, but I understand that we are not going to be able to get common ground on that long list. And so what we endeavor to do is put on the table three things that we can find common ground on, that we must find common ground on, because to defend this for Republicans position over the rest of this week, into next week, to be no reforms, no changes in how ICE operates. It's unsustainable. It is not close to where the center of this country is.”

He made the case for making any DHS funding bill contingent on real accountability and constraints that put a stop to ICE’s lawless chaos: “What we are asking is reasonable and impactful. What we are saying is that these roving patrols in Minneapolis, the profiling of people just based upon their skin color or their accent - the ‘Show Me Your Papers’ enforcement - has to end. ICE and CBP are fundamentally not trained to do that kind of work, just roaming the streets trying to find people who they believe to be in the country illegally.”

He continued: “[And] no more secret police. This is the United States of America… We don't allow, in this country, masked, unidentified men to be wandering up to you on the street and ripping you into a car. We need masks off. We need body cameras on.”

Murphy slammed DHS’ outright refusal to cooperate with an independent investigation of Alex Pretti’s killing: “We need accountability. Man, it looks like there was a crime committed. It looks like that was murder, but the only way you will know is if you have an impartial investigation and potentially prosecution, and that always happens at the state level. It can't be some whitewashed, secret process inside the Department of Homeland Security. No, our justice in the United States of America happens in public. It does not happen in private. We aren't Russia. We aren't Saudi Arabia. Justice is administered in a court of law through a process that people can see and that should apply to you whether you are an ICE officer or whether you are just a citizen of Minneapolis.”

Detailing his own experiences at Texas immigration detention centers, where DHS has illegally stonewalled congressional oversight and accountability, Murphy continued: “Last week, I went down to Texas to inspect two facilities, one of which is [nicknamed] the baby prison, the baby jail. It's where they put the two-year-old kids. I didn't show up unannounced. I'm the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds Homeland Security. We all have a constitutional right to do oversight, but I have the title. I have the responsibility.; And I gave them a day and a half notice, and I was still denied entry. Why? Because they're hiding something.”

Murphy emphasized ICE’s lawless, violent abuse is a national problem, which extends much further than Minneapolis: “I want you to understand that as much as we are watching Minneapolis, as much as we are feeling for those children locked in their nursery school classrooms today, fearing the bad men outside that are trying to take them away and send them to prison. It's not just Minneapolis… 30 people have died in ICE custody and detention in the last year…The country's not watching it like they're watching Minneapolis, but it's just as inhumane and it's just as illegal.”

A full transcript of Murphy’s remarks is available below.

MURPHY: Thank you, Mr. President. I appreciate the remarks of my friend from New Jersey. Mine will sound very familiar. Listen, ICE is out of control right now. They're killing American citizens. They're endangering the safety of our cities, in particular, Minneapolis, and they're just lawless. This nation was horrified when they saw the video of Alex Pretti exercising his First Amendment rights, gunned down in cold blood, but I'll be honest, they were just as terrified by the response from the administration, almost within minutes before any investigation took place. This young man, an ICU nurse who cared for veterans, was being called an assassin, was being named as a domestic terrorist. And it's chilling to the American public that the people in charge of our federal government would lie this willingly, this casually. It's chilling that anyone who opposes this president or participates in organized protest is immediately labeled a terrorist. That's what happens in despotic, totalitarian countries. Anyone that opposes the regime is labeled a terrorist. That's not what's supposed to happen in the United States of America. And so the focus of this country right now is squarely on Minneapolis.

And by the way, there's a lot of ink spilled over the last 24 hours about the administration's ‘de-escalation’ in Minneapolis, substituting one leader for another. Tom Homan is not an avatar of reasonableness, listening and parsing the president's words as he tries to distance himself a little bit from the most outrageous things that people like Stephen Miller have said. But if you talk to our colleagues from Minnesota, they will tell you that nothing has changed. Today is just like yesterday in a nursery school. Today there's blinds down, recess canceled, signs on the door: “All of our staff have been vetted by ICE”. We have no one illegal here. Kids don't know what's going on as they are ushered in by escorts to their nursery school classroom, they are made to feel like prisoners inside. Why? Because there are masked, armed men hunting them, and not hunting people who snuck into the country, hunting people who are here legally, who are here legally.

And I want you to understand that as much as we are watching Minneapolis, as much as we are feeling for those children locked in their nursery school classrooms today, fearing the bad men outside that are trying to take them away and send them to prison, it's not just Minneapolis.

Last week, I went down to Texas to inspect two facilities, one of which is entitled the baby prison, the baby jail. It's where they put the two-year-old kids. I didn't show up unannounced. I'm the ranking Democrat on the Appropriations Subcommittee that funds Homeland Security. We all have a constitutional right to do oversight, but I have the title, I have the responsibility, and I gave them a day and a half notice, and I was still denied entry. Why? Because they're hiding something. 30 people have died in ICE custody and detention in the last year. So instead, I went to a courtroom in San Antonio, an immigration courtroom, and I sat in on proceedings for a half a day, and what I saw was just absolutely outrageous. It's not on cameras. The country's not watching it like they're watching Minneapolis, but it's just as inhumane and it's just as illegal.

The people that show up to this courtroom in San Antonio are immigrants who are complying with the law. These are people who came to the United States, immediately applied for asylum. Many of them made an appointment through an official government website to show up and apply for asylum, and they have been showing up for all of their hearings and court appointments since. And so I would watch as these individuals or families walked in, went through their legal court proceedings, knowing outside that door were a half-dozen civilian plainclothed ICE officers waiting to disappear them. That's what happens in San Antonio. The individual who's here legally shows up as part of their court process. They walk out the door and they are grabbed by ICE, put on a bus that's waiting outside, and they are never to be seen from again. They go to one of these detention facilities. They are basically not allowed to see a lawyer. Sometimes their family doesn't even know where they are, and they are very quickly sent out of the country, either to the nation that they came from, where they rightfully fear potential violence, or to third countries. Families are split up.

While I was there, I was asked to accompany two young parents and their two year old daughter out of the courtroom to see if maybe, because they were talking to United States Senator ICE, wouldn't take them. A two year old! And the lawyer said, if you weren't here, one of two things was going to happen: that two-year-old was going to end up in jail with their parents, or they were going to separate the parents from the child, separate at least the father from the child. That's inhumane. That is wrong, and that is why people all across this country are demanding that if we are going to fund the Department of Homeland Security, we only fund a department that is acting lawfully and morally.

What we are asking is reasonable and impactful. What we are saying is that these roving patrols in Minneapolis, the profiling of people just based upon their skin color or their accent, the ‘show me your papers’ enforcement has to end. ICE and CBP are fundamentally not trained to do that kind of work, just roaming the streets trying to find people who they believe to be in the country illegally. We need warrants, and in fact, that has been the practice until this administration. The practice up until now had been that you had to get a warrant in order to try to lock up somebody who you believe to be here illegally. End the roving patrols. End the profiling.

Second, no more secret police. This is the United States of America. This is the United States of America. We don't allow in this country masked, unidentified men to be wandering up to you on the street and ripping you into a car. We need masks off. We need body cameras on. And lastly, we need accountability. Man, it looks like there was a crime committed. It looks like that was murder, but the only way you will know is if you have an impartial investigation and potentially prosecution, and that always happens at the state level. It can't be some whitewashed, secret process inside the Department of Homeland Security. No, our justice in the United States of America happens in public. It does not happen in private. We aren't Russia. We aren't Saudi Arabia. Justice is administered in a court of law through a process that people can see and that should apply to you whether you are an ICE officer or whether you are just a citizen of Minneapolis.

So think about what we're talking about here, really reasonable things that, frankly, should unite Republicans and Democrats. I have a much longer list of reforms that I want. The illegality is just off the charts of the Department of Homeland Security, but I understand that we are not going to be able to get common ground on that long list. And so what we endeavor to do is put on the table three things that we can find common ground on, that we must find common ground on, because to defend this for Republicans position over the rest of this week, into next week, to be no reforms, no changes in how ICE operates. It's unsustainable. It is not close to where the center of this country is. And so what we're talking about are three reasonable projects. Stop the roving patrols of our cities. No more secret police. And accountability. I believe that we can find a way to get that done.

And I know there's an instinct here, and we suffer from it too. If Democrats are for it, then Republicans just have to be against it. And if Republicans are for it, Democrats just have to be against it. I fall prey to that instinct. But this seems to be a moment where the country has just decided that what's happening in Minneapolis is wrong. The country would like us to come together on a series of reforms that will make it less likely that there will be another murder in cold blood of an American citizen, and right now, we are on a pace for it to happen again. ICE is still there. There are more ICE officers in Minneapolis than there are police officers. The police aren't even doing their job any longer, because all they do is respond to problems that are being created by untrained, unqualified ICE officers. I think we can find a way to come together on a set of reforms that the American people are demanding.

And I guess I draw my inspiration from that trip I took to Texas. So late one evening, I met with a group of families that had recently been detained, and they all had little kids, little kids that were in what they call baby jail. And I met with two boys, elementary school aged boys, about eight years old and 10 years old, that had been locked up for six weeks. Six weeks, these little kids have been locked up for nothing. They were complying with the law. They and their father were going through the legal process of applying for asylum. They were told to show up for court. Their mom dropped them off. Their backpacks for school were still in the backseat. The two young boys and their father went into the courtroom for their appointment that they were told to show up for and they never came back to the car. Their mom had no idea where they went. It ended up that they were in detention, that the little kids had been put in prison, and they called their mom every day as Christmas approached and said, ‘Mom, maybe tomorrow they'll let us out. Maybe the next day, Christmas is coming up, Mom, I don't want to be here for Christmas.’ Well, they stayed right through Christmas, and they didn't get out until just a week ago.

These children were alive on the outside, but you could tell they were dead on the inside. One of the two little boys, the older of them, sat during our time together, and he just stared straight ahead. He didn't make eye contact with anybody. His brain, you could tell, had been poisoned by the inhumanity that had been visited upon him by a policy that makes no sense other than for the purpose of torturing these kids. This is the United States of America. We shouldn't stand for that. You can enforce the laws of this nation without putting kids through that kind of hell, without the kids of Minneapolis today languishing in nursery schools with the doors locked, with no recess, with the shades down.

We were sitting around a round table and on the other side from the two dead-eyed children who had just left six weeks detention was another child. He looked about 10 to me. The two boys who were in detention told their mother in all those phone calls that maybe their greatest worry was that their friends were going to forget about them. “Mom, I've been here for a week. Mom, I've been here for two weeks. Mom, I've been here for six weeks. What if I go back to school and none of my friends remember who I am?” This is what goes through the brain of an eight year old who's been in jail, for nothing, for six weeks.

But you know what happened? Their friends didn't forget about them, that other little boy sitting on the other side of the round table, 10-years-old, he was one of their friends, and he noticed that his two friends were missing day after day after day, and he remembered that they were in immigration proceedings. And so, this 10-year-old boy went to his teacher and his mom and said, “I think something is wrong. I think my friends might have been taken.” And the teacher and the mother reached out to a local legal aid agency, and that legal aid agency tracked down the boy and the father, and eventually the boy and the two boys and the father were let out.

That 10-year-old boy, their friend, had compassion. He believed in right versus wrong, but he also believed that he wasn't powerless. He believed that he could do something to help find his missing friends for him that was alerting adults, because he knew that maybe they would help. And I'm sure he was nervous about speaking up, about going to talk to his teacher, because doing the right thing often comes with risks, but to him, doing the right thing was worth the risk. To him, he knew he wasn't powerless in the face of the immorality that he feared had happened to his friends.

And I just tell you that story because it's a lesson for us. It's a lesson for us to not feel powerless; for Democrats to stand up for what we believe in, to not settle for less than a Department of Homeland Security that complies with the law. And a lesson for Republicans, who I know fear retribution by this president, when they stand up for what they believe is right rather than what Donald Trump says is right. We aren't powerless on the Democratic side, and you aren't powerless on the Republican side. We can find a way to come together and protect our citizens from an agency that is operating outside the bounds of the law and outside the bounds of morality.


Murphy to Rubio: Venezuela Is Not On The Path To Democracy

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Wednesday questioned U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio during a hearing of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the Trump administration’s military operation in Venezuela and plans to control the country going forward. Murphy grilled Rubio on the lack of progress towards a democratic transition while enabling the regime’s corruption, and enriching the president’s friends and donors in the oil industry.

Murphy emphasized Trump’s large-scale, long-term plans to run Venezuela indefinitely are unlikely to succeed: “I think the scope of the project that you are undertaking in Venezuela is without precedent. You are taking their oil at gunpoint. You are holding and selling that oil, putting for now the receipts in an offshore Middle Eastern account. You're deciding how and for what purposes that money is going to be used in a country of 30 million people. I think a lot of us believe that that is destined for failure.”

Murphy rebuffed Rubio’s premature claims of success in Venezuela: “A month later, we have no information on a timetable for a democratic transition. Maduro's people are still in charge. Most of the political prisoners are in jail - and by the way, those that have been let out have a gag order on them from the government. The opposition leader is still in exile. This looks already like it is a failure. You say you're in serious talks, but as you note, the Venezuelans are great at being in serious talks. They almost never deliver.”

Murphy questioned whether corruption is at the center of Trump’s Venezuela policy - and demanded Rubio put a stop to it: “We want to try to understand … whether this is just facilitating corruption, both in Venezuela and here at home. Reports are that you've given no bid licenses to two companies to sell Venezuela's oil. One of them is a massive donor to the President. To many Americans, that reeks. Can you commit that partners for future sales are going to be chosen through a fair, open selection process?”

Murphy highlighted Trump’s threats to deploy U.S. military forces to facilitate oil sales in Venezuela - and pressed Rubio to admit further action must receive congressional approval: “In your testimony, you suggest that you would use force to compel cooperation, for instance, with oil sales… Do you concede that if you're using military action simply to try to compel cooperation from the government, you absolutely need congressional authorization for that?”

A full transcript of the exchange is available below.

Murphy: Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. Listen, I think the scope of the project that you are undertaking in Venezuela is without precedent. You are taking their oil at gunpoint. You are holding and selling that oil, putting for now the receipts in an offshore Middle Eastern account. You're deciding how and for what purposes that money is going to be used in a country of 30 million people. I think a lot of us believe that that is destined for failure.

And I know that you're telling us today just to be patient, but a month later, we have no information on a timetable for a democratic transition. Maduro's people are still in charge. Most of the political prisoners are in jail - and by the way, those that have been let out have a gag order on them from the government. The opposition leader is still in exile. This looks already like it is a failure. You say you're in serious talks, but as you note, the Venezuelans are great at being in serious talks. They almost never deliver.

So I'm just going to give you my three questions and hope that you'll answer them, because I do think we want to try to understand how to judge the efficacy of this as time goes on, because I worry you won't be back before this committee anytime soon, and to understand whether this is just facilitating corruption, both in Venezuela and here at home. So here are my three questions.

First, reports are that you've given no bid licenses to two companies to sell Venezuela's oil. One of them is a massive donor to the President. To many Americans, that reeks. And so my question is, can you commit that partners for future sales are going to be chosen through a fair, open selection process?

Second, if Delcy Rodriguez, who is an unelected leader, the head of Maduro's torture operation, is still in power six months from now, does that mean that your policy is a success or failure? How do we judge when we've had enough of Rodriguez?

And third, [you said] in your testimony, you reserve the right to use force again in the future if the Venezuelan Government isn't complying with your requests. So if, for instance, they refuse to give you access to the oil in the future, if they said we're just going to keep it for ourselves, would this cause you to consider military action? And do you concede that if you're using military action simply to try to compel cooperation from the government, you absolutely need congressional authorization for that? So if you can answer those three-

Rubio: Yeah, so the first question was about the trading companies. The second is about Delcy still in power six months from now, and the third is on the use of force.

Murphy: Yes.

Rubio: Okay, on the first one: the two traders. So here's the problem we faced. The problem we face in the short term is they had no place to put oil. They were running out of storage capacity for their oil. We had to move that oil to market very quickly. The only way to move it to market very quickly is to plug into these two primary trade companies that could sell it in the open market. That is not the permanent outcome here. That is a short-term fix to a short-term problem, which is they were literally storing oil, they brought in tankers, and we had tankers sitting offshore just to hold their oil. At some point, their capacity to produce was going to be shut down and their ability to generate revenue. So we had to move that oil very quickly. The long-term plan is not those two trading companies. The long-term plan is for them to have a normal energy program that sells directly into the market, directly, to refineries and to companies that are exploiting and exploring it. For example, Chevron has operations there that never stopped. They seek to expand those operations. They don't use, they don't need those trading companies. So those trading companies were a short-term fix for a very acute problem because we wanted to prevent societal collapse because they had no money for revenue.

On the second point about her being still in power. Look, let me say a couple things. This is not unprecedented. I can point to a number of places, Spain, Paraguay, two examples of places in which there was a transition, you know, from an autocratic regime to a democratic regime, and it took time. I can't give you a timeline of how long it takes. It can't take forever. It can't. It's not even been four weeks -

Murphy: Six months? A year? two years?

Rubio: Well, I think we need to be, let me put you this way, we need to be much further along six months from now, even three months from now. That may not be satisfactory to you, but I'm saying we have to be much further along three, four or five months. Three or four or five months from now cannot look like what today looks like. And I think there's acknowledgement on both sides of that. I can probably give you a better answer, and this is not deflecting, when we finally have people on the ground like the ambassador and the team around her on a daily basis that are interacting. Because one thing is for me to pick up the phone and talk to Delcy Rodriguez three times a week. Another thing is to have someone on the ground on a daily basis that's following these events, is talking to civil society, but also engaging with interim authorities. But the fact of the matter is that, yes, we want to see quick progress.

As you said, it's unprecedented. Okay, all I'm saying to you is, before this, this was stagnant. Before this, we had spent 14 years - You were involved in some of those efforts - 14 years, trying to change the dynamic in Venezuela. ‘13, ‘12, ‘11, ‘10, a big part of my career in the Senate was spent on this. This is the first time in over a decade that we see even the glimmer of an opportunity to change conditions. A lot of that will depend on us, but a lot of that will depend on them, and it also depends on the rest of Venezuelan society. How quickly can we get all these Venezuelans that want to go back to Venezuela and participate in civic and economic life, back to Venezuela? That's going to be critical here. We recognize that. So yes, we have to be much further along. In six months, we expect to be further along. And if we're and if we're not, I'll tell you, we'll tell you.

On the third point of use of force. Look, the President never rules out his options as commander-in-chief to protect the national interest of the United States. I can tell you right now with full certainty, we are not postured to, nor do we intend or expect to have to take any military action in Venezuela at any time. The only military presence you will see in Venezuela is our marine guards at an embassy. Okay, that is our goal. That is our expectation, and that is what everything that outlines towards. But if that said, if an Iranian drone factory pops up and threatens our forces in the region, the President retains the option to eliminate that threat.

Murphy: I'm asking a more specific question, because in your testimony, you suggest that you would use force to compel cooperation, for instance, with oil sales. Do you agree that you have to come to Congress to get authorization if you were simply using force to try to compel cooperation?


At Veterans Committee Hearing, Senator Murray Slams Secretary Collins for Unacceptable Response to the Murder of VA Nurse Alex Pretti; Presses Collins on VA Abortion Ban

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s exchange at the hearing***

Washington, D.C. — Today, at a Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs hearing with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Doug Collins, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)—a former chair and senior member of the committee—spoke forcefully about the murder of Alex Pretti and Secretary Collins’ insulting and inadequate response, and pressed Secretary Collins on VA’s response to employees at the Minneapolis VA who are mourning the death of their colleague. Senator Murray also pressed Secretary Collins on the Trump administration’s extreme VA abortion ban, which prohibits abortion even in cases of rape or incest.

In opening comments, Senator Murray said:

“Before I begin my questions—people across America are really reeling from the horrifying murder of Alex Pretti by federal agents.

“As we all know, Alex Pretti was an ICU nurse at the Minneapolis VA Medical Center. He is remembered by colleagues and friends as a calm presence amid the chaos of the hospital, someone who cared deeply for the veterans he served. He was remembered as a mentor, a caretaker, and someone who wanted to make a difference in the world. The father of one veteran Mr. Pretti cared for until the end, described him as‘the sweetest person you can imagine.’

“Alex Pretti spent his last minutes trying to help a woman, she was a bystander who was being assaulted by federal agents. He was killed by those federal agents moments later.

“Immediately after he was killed—the Trump administration began spreading sickening lies about him. They lied about who he was, what he was holding, what he was doing in the moments before his death.

“Trump and the miserable folks at the DHS showed right away they didn’t care about getting the facts—any facts. They told Americans not to believe what we all saw and heard with our own eyes and ears. We all saw an American shot and killed by federal agents in broad daylight.

“Mr. Secretary, your initial response to a VA nurse being killed by federal agents was to blame it on Minnesota officials. You didn’t say a word about who Alex Pretti was, or the incredible work that he did for veterans. You mentioned him today but still didn’t refer to that. That is certainly a choice.

“Words cannot describe how outraged I am—and how outraged we all should be—at the killing of Alex Pretti, who simply did not have to die, and at this administration’s rush to spread lies about American citizens—whose only crime was peacefully exercising their First Amendment rights.

“Joining ICE or Border Patrol does not give you a license to murder. So I want to reiterate to all of you that there must be an independent investigation and real accountability here.

“This can’t continue—and I hope that we agree on that basic point, and Republicans join us to work with us to make that happen.”

[VA STAFF MOURNING ALEX PRETTI]

Senator Murray began her questioning by pressing Secretary Collins on reports that Minneapolis VA employees have not been granted personal leave to mourn their colleague, saying: “It is my understanding that Minneapolis VA employees have not been granted personal leave to mourn their colleague because they’re subject to mandatory overtime due to staffing shortages. Are you allowing any of the employees there to get personal help, to take any time off, or to offer them your support as they go through a very trying time of losing a very close colleague?”

“Yes, we are providing all that we can through the Minneapolis VA to those workers,” Secretary Collins said, before turning the question to Gregory Goins, Acting Chief Operating Officer at the Veterans Health Administration. Mr. Goins replied that, “When… these tragedies occur; they’re offered employee assistance programs, they’re offered Whole Health employee assistance programs, they’re also offered things through community partners, if necessary. If anybody comes forward to want to take leave because of a coworker, a close coworker, we always have empathy in allowing them to do so.”

“And if I could just add—and I apologize—they just had a memorial service for Alex Pretti yesterday at noon, where over 300 employees attended and were able to memorialize and remember him,” Mr. Goins continued.

Later in the hearing, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) followed up on Senator Murray’s line of questioning, grilling Secretary Collins on an email received by staff at the Minneapolis VA yesterday that said in part, “we have been instructed to pause the memorial planned for today.” The vigil was held anyway. Secretary Collins and Mr. Goins placed the blame for the email on “a leadership official in Minneapolis,” denying they had instructed staff at the Minneapolis VA to pause the memorial for Alex Pretti that they had referenced in their testimony.

[VA ABORTION BAN]

Senator Murray continued her questioning by pressing Secretary Collins on the Trump administration’s decision to implement a near-total ban on abortion care at VA, and ban providers from even discussing abortion with their veteran patients— moves Senator Murray has repeatedly and forcefully spoken out against:

“In late December, not long ago, the Trump administration quietly implemented a near-total abortion ban at the VA,” Senator Murray said. “VA’s final rule prevents the more than 460,000 women veterans of reproductive age—over half of whom live in states with abortion bans—from receiving abortion care at the VA now. VA providers aren’t even allowed to discuss abortion as an option with veteran patients.”

Senator Murray asked, “Secretary Collins, a simple question, if a veteran has been raped, is she able to get abortion care at the VA under current policy? Yes or No?”

“The VA was up until ‘22, was not doing any abortions at all. This was a decision by the previous administration to bend the law to go back, something that had been of over generations of both Democrat and Republican administration, that the VA was not in the issue of abortion,” answered Secretary Collins in part.

Senator Murray reiterated, “No. A simple question, if you are raped, can you get abortion care?”

Secretary Collins replied in part, “There are no abortions to be done at the VA medical centers, except the ones that are the life threatening of a mother.”

“I just want everyone to know, under this VA Final Rule – no exceptions for rape or incest. And I find that outrageous,” Senator Murray responded.

“Up until October, or until ‘22 when Secretary McDonough changed what was the high precedent and law of this country, there were no abortions of any kind for any excuse or any reason,” said Secretary Collins in part.

“And he rightfully corrected that to make sure that if someone was raped or a victim of incest, they could get health care,” Senator Murray corrected Secretary Collins.

Senator Murray was the first woman to join the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the first woman to chair the Committee—as the daughter of a World War II veteran, supporting veterans and their families has always been an important priority for her. Senator Murray has been outspoken in standing up for veterans, VA employees, and VA researchers against Trump and Elon Musk’s indiscriminate mass layoffs this year—forcefully denouncing the administration’s plans, pressing administration witnesses at every opportunity, and holding multiple press conferences with VA employees and veterans in Washington state who were abruptly laid off for no reason. Earlier this year, Senator Murray forcefully denounced the Trump administration’s initial plan to fire 80,000 employees at VA. Toward the end of last year, Senator Murray released a videoslamming the Trump administration’s new plan not to fill thousands of open positions at VA, and demanding answers.

Advocating for women veterans and their access to reproductive health care has also been a longtime focus for Senator Murray. Senator Murray called on VA to provide abortion care to veterans early in the Biden administration, and she applauded the Biden administration’s announcement later in the year that would begin to provide abortion care for veterans and their eligible dependents to protect the health and life of the individual and in cases of rape or incest. Murray has helped lead the charge in calling out Republicans for their attacks on, and attempts to undo, this limited and commonsense policy. Senator Murray also leads the Veteran Families Health Services Act, comprehensive legislation that would expand fertility treatments—including IVF—and family-building services for servicemembers and veterans who are unable to conceive without assistance, and she has sought unanimous consent to pass the legislation on multiple occasions. She introduced new legislation last summer with Senator Duckworth to help cover IVF costs for servicemembers and military families—and slammed Speaker Johnson from working behind the scenes to strip an amendment mirroring that legislation from the final National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026. Senator Murray voted against the NDAA last year, citing—among other things—the failure to include her provision to expand IVF care for servicemembers and veterans. Yesterday, Senator Murray introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to overturn the Trump Administration’s new rule ending abortion counseling entirely and abortion care for veterans who have been raped or whose pregnancy is threatening their health.

Senator Murray slammed the Trump administration’s initial move to ban abortion care at VA in August, and sounded the alarm again in December when the Trump administration quietly implemented a near-total abortion ban at VA.

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Senator Murray Calls on Senate Republicans to Work with Democrats to Quickly Pass Five Funding Bills While Working on Serious Reforms to Rein in ICE and CBP

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s remarks***

Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, delivered the following remarks on government funding at this afternoon’s Senate Democratic leadership press conference.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“Democrats are ready to avert a shutdown. We have 5 bills we all agree on—about 95 percent of the remaining budget—it is ready to go.

“We can pass these five bills no problem—all Leader Thune has to do is tee them up for a vote. The ball is in the Republicans’ court.

“But when it comes to DHS, we cannot ignore what happened on Saturday, especially after what we’ve seen over the last twelve months.

“We have to split this bill off and grapple with the brutal reality that ICE and CBP are out of control—and endangering American citizens.

“The brutal killing of Alex Pretti was an inflection point for this country. We are saying enough.

“DHS agents shot and killed another person in broad daylight. He was a legal observer. He went to just help a woman. And then he was tackled, disarmed, and shot in the back.

“Then, instead of conducting the most basic oversight—the administration has attempted the most blatant cover up. Instead of even acknowledging this was a tragedy—they tried to slander a VA nurse as a ‘domestic terrorist.’ This cannot stand in America.

“That’s why we are demanding Republicans work with us on serious reforms to rein in this department.

“That is what the vast majority of the American people are demanding we do—and what many Republicans are now calling for as well.

“So, we need members on both sides to sit down and include critical reforms and accountability measures within the DHS bill. And there is no reason whatsoever for that work to hold up the other five bills and cause a shut down.

“We do this all the time—we move forward on the areas where we have an agreement, we roll up our sleeves and keep negotiating on other issues.

“And it’s not like the House can’t come back and vote on this too. That’s what the Senate did—when the House rewrote a spending agreement back in 2018—right after we had left for the holidays.

“So there is no good reason for Republicans not to work with us here. They know as much as we do that Noem, ICE, and CBP need to be reined in.

“We have heard them talk for years about government overreach, and out-of-control federal agencies, and the importance of things like the First, Second, and Fourth amendments.

“Well, that’s exactly what we’re seeing right now: rogue federal agencies infringing on Americans’ most basic rights and making our communities less safe.

“We need to remember: Republicans already gave ICE an enormous slush fund, which every Democrat voted against.

“Republicans voted to cut Secretary Noem a blank check—and to fund these roving bands of federal agents who have been knocking down doors without the slightest cause, and without legal warrants.

“Republicans voted for federal agents attacking, detaining, and killing Americans simply because they disagree with the administration’s brutal tactics.

“Republicans voted for that unprecedented funding—with no oversight, no accountability—which has now resulted in federal officers and agents first, killing a mother in her minivan trying to drive away, and now, has led to a legal gun owner, with the legal right to conceal and carry, being killed and slandered as a terrorist by this administration.

“Republicans voted to put federal agents in the streets with barely any training, who are not focused on de-escalation, not wearing body cameras, and explicitly not working with local law enforcement and officials—all of which makes our communities less safe.

“Now is the time for senators to sit down and find a path forward to address what Republican senators finally agree is a problem.

“And while we do that, are they really going to insist on shutting down child care, and clinical trials, and air traffic control, and so much more—if DHS doesn’t get all of its funding right now? Well, I really hope not.

“I know there are senators on both sides of the aisle who want to get these other five bills passed as soon as possible.

“And I also know there are members on both sides who are horrified by the killing we saw Saturday—and the way ICE and CBP have operated. There are Republicans who agree with us on these reforms.

“So, now is the time to stand together, pass these five bills, and work on those badly-needed reforms.”

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Senator Murray Floor Remarks on Horrific Shooting of Alex Pretti and the Imperative for Republicans to Work with Democrats to Rein in ICE and CBP and Quickly Pass Other Five Funding Bills to Avert an Unnecessary Shutdown

***WATCH: Senator Murray’s Remarks***

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, spoke on the Senate floor about the killing of Alex Pretti and the violence we are seeing from ICE and CBP agents in Minneapolis and all across the country—and the urgent need to rein in these rogue agencies.

Senator Murray emphasized that Democrats are ready to avert a Republican shutdown by passing the five other appropriations bills with overwhelming bipartisan support, while splitting off the Homeland Security funding bill to allow time for serious negotiations to secure reforms at the Department. The fiscal year 2026 Defense; Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies; Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies; Financial Services and General Government; and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bills were negotiated on a bipartisan, bicameral basis, overwhelmingly passed the House in 341-88 and 341-79 votes, and could easily clear the Senate this week if Republican leadership tees up a vote on the bills. Collectively, these five bills account for 95% of the remaining budget for fiscal year 2026.

Senator Murray’s remarks, as delivered, are below:

“There are two simple truths here:

“One—there is absolutely no reason for a shutdown. 5 of the bills before us—covering 95 percent of the remaining budget—everyone agrees we can pass.

“And two—after the horrific killing of Alex Pretti last weekend, after so many vile, shameless lies from Trump officials, and after the flagrant abuses we have seen from ICE and CBP agents, it is painfully—and brutally—clear this out-of-control Department must be reined in, and Congress must take action to make that happen.

“What we have seen happening in Minnesota—and all across the country—is simply un-American.

“Trump and Noem sent ICE and Border Patrol into Minneapolis—not on a targeted mission to retrieve actual criminals—but to go door to door, terrorizing communities, and asking to see the papers of anyone who doesn’t fit their idea of what an American looks like.

“Secretary Noem and her masked agents are haphazardly dragging off people with no criminal record, people who are here legally, people who are citizens, and of course, they are even dragging off children.

“No one has to take my word for it. We all saw them march a man, a citizen, out of his house, in the freezing cold—in nothing but his underwear. We all saw them cart away a five-year-old, with his Spiderman backpack and a bunny hat on.

“And when people protested peacefully—the Trump administration cracked down with a level of force as brutal as it was unjustified.

“Again—no one needs to take my word for it: We all heard about the family who had their car tear gassed on the way back from a basketball game, and their baby stopped breathing and needed emergency care. We all watched the woman who was dragged out of her car on the way to a doctor’s appointment. We all saw that unforgettable photo of an unarmed man, pinned on the ground with one of Trump’s federal officers pepper spraying him directly in the face.

“We all bore witness to the murder of Renee Good.

“And then, last weekend—we all saw the horrific killing of Alex Pretti. A lawful observer exercising his rights, murdered in cold blood by federal agents.

“And how did Trump’s team respond? They lied about what we all saw with our own eyes.

“They slandered Alex as a domestic terrorist. This man was a VA nurse, he was beloved by his patients. They falsely claimed he wanted to massacre law enforcement, when he was simply exercising his constitutional First Amendment rights. They said he attacked law enforcement, when he was only helping a woman who law enforcement had assaulted. They said he brandished a gun, when he never touched it. In fact—he was already disarmed when they shot him in the back.

“And yet—right now, the only Department they will let investigate this tragedy—is the Department that was responsible for it.

“That cannot be how things work in this country—not if we are going to keep the democracy that we all cherish. We need real, independent investigation. We need real accountability. And we need real reforms.

“And until that happens—until we begin reining in this out-of-control Department—we cannot pass the DHS bill as it stands. The DHS bill needs to be split off from this larger package. And that needs to happen so we can prevent other parts of government from shutting down while we work to reform the DHS bill.

“Now, I want to be straight with everyone: not passing the Homeland Bill will not stop ICE right now. Why? Because Republicans already gave ICE tens of billions of dollars without a single Democratic vote when they passed their Big Ugly Bill. As the junior Senator from Kentucky has pointed out—even without the DHS bill, ICE will have many times its annual budget because of the bill that the Republicans passed last summer.

“But splitting off the Homeland bill does ensure Congress is forced to reckon with this issue. It does give us the opportunity to take much-needed action to protect Americans from this out-of-control Department.

“And to be clear: this is not just what Democrats are demanding. It is what the vast majority of Americans are demanding. People in this country, Mr. President, are absolutely horrified, they are outraged that our government is gunning down U.S. citizens on the street with impunity. And this just cannot continue.

“And with each hour that goes by, we are seeing more and more Republicans agree that the status quo is unacceptable—that there must be change, and that Congress must do something. We—Congress—must do something.

“And there’s a very reasonable and straightforward path forward here now: There is a legislative package of 6 funding bills at the desk right now, right up here. 5 of the funding bills in this package that we all overwhelmingly agree on. We all agree on [funding] cancer research. We all agree on child care funding. We all agree on funding roads, and bridges, and housing. We agree on paying our troops, and supporting small businesses, and so much else that is in those bills. And by the way the House in fact passed those five bills overwhelmingly.

“So let’s just remove Homeland Security and pass the remaining five bills without delay! There is no reason to wait. And we can get to work right away to negotiate a Homeland bill that includes the reforms and accountability everyone knows is needed.

“I am here, and ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work with Chair Collins and our colleagues to craft a bill with serious oversight and accountability so we can simply rein in the abuses we are seeing.

“But if Republicans refuse to work with us on DHS, and refuse to put the remaining five bills up for a vote in the meantime, they will be choosing to shut down the government across all of the agencies impacted—cutting off funding for lifesaving clinical trials, and paychecks for our troops and our air traffic controllers, and as we all know much more.

“We should not let that happen. So, Mr. President, let’s pass the 5 bills ahead of the Friday deadline, and let’s focus separately on DHS—where it is clear, that accountability and reform cannot wait.

“We do this all the time—move forward on the areas where we have an agreement—and keep negotiating on the others. That’s what needs to happen here and now.

“And look, if the House has to come back to prevent a shutdown—so be it! That is part of the job they have.

“Back in 2018, after the Senate cleared a spending bill and we went home for the holidays, President Trump did a 180 and had the House change the bill and send it back to us. You know what we did? We came back and we voted. That’s it. That’s our job. That’s what the House can do.

“So, there is no need for a shutdown. There is no need for delay. And there is every need for serious reforms. Let’s get it done.”

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Padilla, Schiff Join Welch, Senate Judiciary Democrats in Call to Open a Civil Rights Investigation Into Renee Good’s Death

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), members of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and every Senate Judiciary Democrat in urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to heed the calls of career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis earlier this month. In their letter to Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Harmeet Dhillon, the Senators emphasized that DOJ’s decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing is emblematic of a broader trend of the Department ignoring the enforcement of civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s mass deportation agenda.

AAG Dhillon made clear that DOJ’s Civil Rights Division would not investigate Ms. Good’s killing — rebuking the reported request of career prosecutors at DOJ to do so and despite the leading role the Civil Rights Division office normally assumes in investigating potential civil rights violations. The letter was sent last week, before Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agents shot and killed Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Senators Padilla and Schiff also support an investigation into Pretti’s killing, which DOJ has reportedly declined to open.

According to public reporting, multiple career prosecutors in the Civil Rights Division offered to lead an inquiry into the shooting, which at the federal level is usually led by the Division’s Criminal Section. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, second-in-command at DOJ, reinforced AAG Dhillon’s decision to take an investigation off the table when he publicly claimed there was “no basis” for a civil rights probe into Ms. Good’s death. Deputy AG Blanche’s assertion is contradicted by an FBI agent’s determination — after an initial review — that sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights investigation into the ICE agent who shot Ms. Good. A senior FBI agent in Minneapolis resigned after bureau leadership in Washington pressured her to discontinue a civil rights inquiry.

“Your decision not to investigate the ICE agent’s conduct is a marked departure from past administrations of both parties, which historically have taken swift action to open civil rights reviews of many fatal interactions with law enforcement. These investigations have been conducted even when criminal charges were considered unlikely,” wrote the Senators. “After you informed Division personnel that you would not consider opening an investigation into whether the ICE agent violated federal law, several career prosecutors — including the head of the Criminal Section, which is responsible for these investigations — accelerated planned departures from the Division.”

“Instead of investigating Ms. Good’s killing, DOJ has announced the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota would investigate alleged connections between Ms. Good and her widow and groups that have been monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis. DOJ ordered federal agents to conduct its investigation without Minnesota’s local authorities,” continued the Senators. “Refusing to share investigative materials or permit a joint investigation is highly unusual.”

Six lawyers from the Minnesota U.S. attorney’s office also resigned in protest of this politically charged investigation.

In addition to Senators Padilla, Schiff, and Welch, Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) also signed the letter.

“Your decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing reflects a trend in the Division under your leadership of ignoring the enforcement of civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s political agenda,” concluded the Senators. “This trend, combined with apparent political interference in investigative and prosecutorial decisions, undermines public trust, the legitimacy of our institutions, and the rule of law. We urge you to listen to career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Good.”

As Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Immigration Subcommittee, Senator Padilla has been a leading voice in opposition to President Trump’s cruel and indiscriminate mass deportation agenda, including against his unprecedented, illegal militarization of Los Angeles and other American cities. Earlier this month, Padilla joined leading immigration advocates and interfaith leaders at an “ICE Out for Good” rally and vigil to condemn the Trump Administration’s abuses against American communities and to demand ICE and CBP leave Minnesota after the killing of Renee Good. Last month, Padilla and Blumenthal introduced the Accountability for Federal Law Enforcement Act to allow individuals — regardless of citizenship — the right to sue federal law enforcement officers and agencies in civil court for violations of their civil and constitutional rights.

Full text of the Senators’ letter to Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon is available here and below:

Dear Assistant Attorney General Dhillon:

On January 7, 2026, a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Two days later, you announced the Division would not investigate the fatal incident—despite the reported request of career prosecutors in your office to do so and despite the leading role your office normally assumes in investigating potential violations of 18 U.S.C. 242.

Your decision not to investigate the ICE agent’s conduct is a marked departure from past administrations of both parties, which historically have taken swift action to open civil rights reviews of many fatal interactions with law enforcement. These investigations have been conducted even when criminal charges were considered unlikely.

According to public reporting, multiple career prosecutors in the Division offered to lead an inquiry into the shooting. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, second-in command at the Department of Justice (DOJ), reinforced your decision to take an investigation off the table when he publicly claimed there was “no basis” for a civil rights probe into Ms. Good’s death. His assertion is contradicted by a Federal Bureau of Investigation agent’s determination—after an initial review—that sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights investigation into the ICE agent who shot Ms. Good.

After you informed Division personnel that you would not consider opening an investigation into whether the ICE agent violated federal law, several career prosecutors —including the head of the Criminal Section, which is responsible for these investigations—accelerated planned departures from the Division.

Instead of investigating Ms. Good’s killing, DOJ has announced the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota would investigate alleged connections between Ms. Good and her widow and groups that have been monitoring ICE activity in Minneapolis. DOJ ordered federal agents to conduct its investigation without Minnesota’s local authorities. Refusing to share investigative materials or permit a joint investigation is highly unusual. Six lawyers from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Minnesota have also resigned in protest of this investigation.

Your decision not to investigate Ms. Good’s killing reflects a trend in the Division under your leadership of ignoring the enforcement of civil rights laws in favor of carrying out President Trump’s political agenda. This trend, combined with apparent political interference in investigative and prosecutorial decisions, undermines public trust, the legitimacy of our institutions, and the rule of law. We urge you to listen to career prosecutors and open a civil rights investigation into the death of Ms. Good.

Sincerely,

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