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Tag: Democrats

  • Shutdown nears as lawmakers brace for next round of ICE negotiations

    WASHINGTON — A budget impasse in Congress is poised to halt large swaths of federal operations early Saturday as lawmakers in Capitol Hill turn to the next flashpoint in negotiations to reopen the government: whether to impose new limits on federal immigration authorities carrying out President Trump’s deportation campaign.

    Over the next two weeks, Democrats and Republicans will weigh competing demands on how the Department of Homeland Security should carry out arrests, detention and deportations after the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens by federal immigration agents this month in Minnesota.

    Seeking to rein in the federal agency, Senate Democrats late on Thursday were able to strike a deal with the White House that would temporarily fund the Department of Homeland Security but fund the Pentagon, the State Department, as well as the health, education, labor and transportation agencies through Sept. 30.

    The agreement is intended to give lawmakers more time to address Democratic demands to curb ICE tactics while averting a partial government shutdown.

    The Senate finalized the deal Friday evening on a 71-29 vote, hours before a midnight deadline to avert a government shutdown. Passage of the deal was delayed by Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), who objected to parts of the package.

    The House expected to take up the legislation as early as Monday. The partial government shutdown will occur until the measure clears the House and Trump signs it into law.

    The president supports the deal, which came after Senate Democrats said they would not vote to fund Homeland Security unless reforms for the agency were approved. Among the demands: banning federal agents from wearing masks, requiring use of body cameras and requiring use of judicial warrants prior to searching homes and making arrests.

    Democrats have also demanded that local and state law enforcement officials be given the ability to conduct independent investigations in cases where federal agents are accused of wrongdoing.

    The deal, however, does not include any of those reforms; it includes only the promise of more time to negotiate with no guarantee that the new restrictions will be agreed to.

    Both of California’s Democratic senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, voted against the Senate deal. They both opposed giving more funding to Homeland Security without reforms in a vote Thursday.

    Schiff voted no because he said he promised to not “give another dime for ICE until we saw real reforms — and not just promised reforms but statutory requirements.”

    “I want to see those reforms before I am prepared to support any more funding for these agencies,” Schiff said in a video message posted on X, and added that he did not see the White House acting in “good faith. “I want it in writing and statute.”

    After voting against the measure, Padilla said in a statement: “I’ve been clear from the beginning: No more money for ICE and CBP without real oversight and accountability.”

    House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters Friday morning that Democrats will find out whether two weeks is enough time to reach a compromise.

    “We will evaluate whether that is sufficient time,” Jeffries said. “But there is urgency to dealing with this issue because ICE as we have seen is out of control.”

    Meanwhile, the absence of reforms in the Senate deal has already drawn concerns from some progressives, who argue the deal falls short of what is needed to rein in federal immigration enforcement.

    “First of all, I’m actually disappointed that Senate leadership is not right now demanding more,” Rep. Robert Garcia, a top-ranking House Democrat from Long Beach, told reporters Friday. “This idea that we’re somehow going to continue to fund this agency and somehow just extend the pain, I think is absolutely wrong.”

    Garcia said it was “outrageous” that the Senate deal would extend funding for Homeland Security for two weeks without any new requirements.

    “This idea that we’re somehow not demanding immediately the removal of masks and body cameras and all the other reforms while eliminating this agency that’s causing harm, I think, is outrageous,” Garcia said.

    Democratic Rep. Judy Chu of Pasadena said in a statement that she had not yet decided whether to support the Senate deal once it reaches the House floor.

    But, Chu added: “I cannot support legislation that increases funding to this agency while delivering no accountability measures.”

    Rep. Kevin Calvert (R-Corona) said in a statement that it is “critical” for lawmakers to pass the bipartisan spending package, in part because it included funding for the U.S. military.

    “As Chairman of the [House] Defense Appropriation Subcommittee, I’m especially concerned about the negative impacts of a shutdown at a time when we have a buildup of American military assets in the Middle East,” Calvert said.

    Calvert added that Homeland Security operations will continue even in the shutdown because lawmakers provided an influx of funding for the agency in last year’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.” But he said he worried that any lapse in funding would affect other operations by the agency, including disaster funding and security assistance for major events, such as the upcoming World Cup.

    “We need to get these priorities funded,” he said.

    Other Republican lawmakers have already signaled the possible hurdles Democrats will face as they try to rein in ICE.

    Graham held up consideration of the Senate deal, in part because he wanted the Senate to vote to criminalize local and state officials in sanctuary cities — a term that has no strict definition but that generally describes local jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities.

    “You can convince me that ICE can be better, but I don’t think I will ever convince you to abandon sanctuary cities because you’re wedded to it on the Democratic side,” Graham said.

    Graham also delayed passage of the deal because it included a repeal of a law that would have allowed senators — including himself — to sue the government if federal investigators gained access to their phones without notifying them. The law required senators to be notified if that were to happen and sue for up to $50,000 in damages per incident.

    “We’ll fix the $500,000 — count me in — but you took the notification out,” Graham said. “I am demanding a vote on the floor of the United States Senate.”

    Other Senate Republicans also expressed concern with Democrats’ demands, even as Trump seemed to try appease them.

    Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-Mo.) said the demand for federal agents to remove their masks during operations was a “clear and obvious attempt to intimidate and put our federal agents in harm’s way.”

    “When enforcement becomes dangerous for enforcers, enforcement does not survive,” Schmitt said in a Senate floor speech. “What emerges is not reform, it is amnesty by default.”

    Despite the GOP opposition, most Senate Republicans were poised to join Democrats on Friday and vote for the deal. But there is no certainty that they will join the minority party when negotiations resume in the coming weeks.

    Recent history suggests that bipartisan support at the outset does not guarantee a lasting deal, particularly when unresolved policy disputes remain. The last government shutdown tied to a debate over healthcare exposed how quickly negotiations can collapse when no agreement is reached.

    In November, a small group of Democrats voted with Republicans to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history with the promise of negotiating an extension to healthcare tax credits that were set to expire in the new year.

    Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-San Franciso), a former House speaker, reminded the public on Friday that Democrats were unable to get Republican support for extending the tax credits, resulting in increasing healthcare costs for millions of Americans.

    “House Democrats passed a bipartisan fix, yet Senate Republicans continue to block this critical relief for millions of Americans,” Pelosi wrote in a post on X.

    Times staff writer Seema Mehta contributed to this report.

    Ana Ceballos

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  • Illinois Democratic hopefuls for US Senate agree Trump poses constitutional crisis but other differences emerge

    The three leading Democratic candidates vying for the March 17 primary nomination to the U.S. Senate agreed Thursday night the nation is facing a constitutional crisis and hurled invectives at President Donald Trump, with each arguing they would be best equipped to rein in his administration if elected to Washington.

    But in an hour-long debate, small yet distinct differences emerged among U.S. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi of Schaumburg and Robin Kelly of Lynwood and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton.

    Stratton repeated her lone call to “abolish” the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, while Krishnamoorthi called for ending “Trump’s ICE” and Kelly, who launched an effort to impeach U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, called for a complete overhaul of the department.

    But Stratton and Kelly each vowed not to vote to confirm any new Trump appointees to the U.S. Supreme Court, while Krishnamoorthi said he would seek intensive vetting of nominees. Stratton also called for lifting the current $7.25 an hour federal minimum wage to $25 an hour, while Kelly said $17 an hour was more politically realistic in getting through Congress, and Krishnamoorthi agreed.

    Krishanmoorthi was also the only one saying he supported term limits for members of Congress, while all three agreed there should be limits on the tenure of Supreme Court justices.

    The debate, held at ABC-7’s Loop studios and cospsonored by the station, Univision Chicago and the League of Women Voters of Illinois and of Chicago, was the second such forum among the three in 72 hours, following an event at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics.

    The latest debate lacked much of the aggressiveness Stratton had shown at the previous forum, possibly because the rules did not allow candidates to follow up on what others had said.

    Stratton, the two-term running mate of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker and who is backed by the governor, called Trump a “wannabe dictator” who “leads with bigotry and hatred.”

    “We have a president that is stomping on the Constitution, a president that doesn’t believe that he has to follow the rule of law. We have a president, and now a court system, oftentimes especially the Supreme Court, that is rubberstamping his authoritarian agenda,” Stratton said. She called for reforms at the nation’s highest court “because we don’t see the checks we need.”

    Krishnamoorthi said Congress needs to ban mid-decade redistricting, which he called a “chaos” that was pushed by Trump in Republican-led states to try to ensure the GOP’s continued House majority after the 2026 election.

    “We have to reform the pardon power because he’s decided to auction off pardons to the highest bidders,” Krishnamoorthi said. “In addition, we have to reform our tariff laws so that he can’t create tariff chaos and trade chaos. And then finally, we have to probably amend the Constitution and make it very clear that there is no third term for a president.”

    Kelly said Republicans in Congress “have ceded their power” to Trump and need to “slow him down, cut him off, hold him accountable, hold the minions accountable, like I’m trying to hold Kristi Noem accountable.”

    As was the case in their earlier debate, the aggressive tactics of federal agents carrying out Trump’s immigration enforcement were a major topic, though the administration has scaled back its confrontational operations in recent days amid negative political fallout following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by immigration enforcement agents in Minneapolis earlier this month.

    After the earlier debate, Stratton told reporters that Customs and Border Patrol could carry out immigration activities if ICE were abolished, even though CBP agents were involved in Pretti’s death. Krishnamoorthi seized on that comment Thursday night.

    “I think that would be a grave mistake,” Krishnamoorthi said. “CBP employs Greg Bovino (who was the agency’s ‘commander in charge’ and had overseen the agency’s immigration enforcement before being removed from Minneapolis). CBP is who actually shot and killed Alex Pretti. We need to abolish Trump’s ICE and revamp CBP and all of DHS.”

    Speaking to reporters after the debate, Stratton sought to clarify her earlier comment suggesting Border Patrol would remain in place if ICE were abolished.

    “When I talk about security at the border, I’m saying that there should be security at the border. … I’m not talking about CBP, I’m not talking about having agents storming and walking down Michigan Avenue like we have seen,” Stratton said. “I’m talking about border security.”

    U.S. Senate contender Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (right) prepares alongside fellow contenders U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (third from right) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (second from right), before their debate on Jan. 29, 2026, at WLS-Ch. 7. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)

    As for other responsibilities ICE currently handles, those could be delegated to other federal agencies, such as the Drug Enforcement Administration, for duties related to drug smuggling investigations, Stratton said.

    Hours before the debate, Senate Democrats reached an agreement with the Trump administration and Republicans on a plan to forestall a long-term government shutdown by passing a two-week interim funding bill for Homeland Security. During that time, Democrats said they would negotiate on operational guardrails that immigration agents would have to follow.

    “Noem has to be fired. If she’s not fired, then we have to impeach her,” Krishnamoorthi said of his proposal for a deal. “Masks have to come off. IDs have to go on. Body cameras have to go on. No more warrantless arrests. Third-party investigations must be mandatory for all use of force. And, no more roving gangs of ICE agents or CBP agents throughout our cities.”

    Stratton said Senate Democrats should demand ICE and Border Patrol agents get out of American cities.

    “We want to see not one single dime more of funding for ICE, and we need to make sure that we investigate and prosecute all of these agents for their crimes and make sure they’re held accountable,” she said.

    Kelly said in addition to Noem’s departure, the entire Department of Homeland Security must be overhauled.

    “Yes, dismantle ICE but also the Border Patrol, also the agency that looks over citizenship and asylum,” she said. “All of it needs to be dismantled and rebuilt so people are not terrorized by their own government agency. So, I do think we do need enforcement. There’s no question about that. But not the enforcement that we have now.”

    After the debate, Kelly, who skipped taking questions from the press Monday night, told reporters Thursday that she hasn’t embraced either of the phrases — “abolish ICE” or “abolish Trump’s ICE” — that have come to highlight a subtle yet significant divide among Democrats, “because I’m real and realistic. I don’t just use a campaign slogan.”

    The debate came as the Pew Research Center released nationwide survey results showing widespread disapproval of some tactics used by federal immigration agents.

    The survey found 61% of Americans said it was unacceptable for agents to wear face coverings that hide their identities while working and 72% who said it’s wrong for agents to use a person’s appearance or the language they speak as a reason to check immigration status.

    The survey of 8,512 U.S. adults, conducted Jan. 20-26, also found nearly three-quarters of Americans say ordinary people should be able to record video of immigration arrests and nearly six-in-10 said they supported the ability for people to share information about where enforcement actions are happening.

    Leading up to the debate, the political action committee backing Stratton unveiled two new TV ads focusing on her vow to fight Trump and her call to abolish ICE. Stratton’s own campaign launched a similarly themed digital ad.

    Krishnamoorthi, meanwhile, announced the endorsement of four downstate Democratic county chairs, joining a list of 15 others who previously backed his Senate bid. The campaign said it was a demonstration that Krishnamoorthi, who was raised in Peoria, is the “downstate candidate in this race.”

    Rick Pearson, Dan Petrella

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  • ‘California can do better’: San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan enters crowded race for governor

    San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan announced Thursday that he is running for governor of California, jumping into an already crowded race less than six months before the June primary.

    The 43-year-old Democrat said he decided to run after growing frustrated with what he described as “business as usual” in Sacramento and a field of candidates he said has failed to offer a bold, solutions-driven vision for the state.

    “I know that California can do better,” Mahan said in an interview. “We’ve proven in San Jose that when we focus on the most important things and hold ourselves accountable for delivering results, we can really make progress for our residents. That’s the spirit we need in Sacramento.”

    Mahan’s announcement comes less than three weeks after he publicly signaled interest in joining the race, which remains wide open with no clear front-runner. He becomes the ninth Democrat to enter a contest that has already drawn a crowded and fractured field.

    Over the last two months, Mahan has hosted six of the candidates in San Jose, taking them on tours of the city’s interim housing communities as he looked for a candidate willing to prioritize faster, more pragmatic responses to homelessness. After those meetings, he said, he concluded that none were offering the approach he was seeking.

    Grace Hase

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  • Democrats poised to trigger government shutdown if White House won’t meet demands for ICE reform

    Senate Democrats are threatening to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.As the country reels from the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands ahead of a Thursday morning test vote, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill, denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it and triggering a shutdown at midnight on Friday.Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats won’t provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled.”“The American people support law enforcement, they support border security, they do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. The two sides were talking as of Wednesday evening, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to speak about the private talks. One possible option discussed would be to strip the funding for the Homeland Security Department from the larger bill, as Schumer has requested, and extend it for a short period to allow time for negotiations, the person said. The rest of the bill would fund government agencies until September.Still, with no agreement yet and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.That shutdown ended when a small group of moderate Democrats broke away to strike a deal with Republicans, but Democrats are more unified this time after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents.Democrats lay out their demandsThere’s a lot of “unanimity and shared purpose” within the Democratic caucus, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said after a lunch meeting Wednesday.“Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does,” Smith said. “There has to be accountability.”Amid the administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.Democrats also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated that he might be open to considering some of the Democrats’ demands, but he encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.Many obstacles to a dealAs the two sides negotiated, it was still unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump’s aggressive crackdown to end.The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. The official requested anonymity to discuss the private invitation.The House passed the six remaining funding bills last week and sent them to the Senate as a package, making it more difficult to strip out the homeland security portion as Democrats have demanded. Republicans could break the package apart with the consent of all 100 senators or through a series of votes that would extend past the Friday deadline.Even if the Senate can resolve the issue, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the president and ICE.“The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.Republican oppositionSeveral Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult to for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he’s OK with separating the bills, but is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to unmask and show their faces, even as he blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.“You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home,” Tillis said. “And that’s just the reality of the world that we’re in.”Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that “what happened over the weekend is a tragedy,” but Democrats shouldn’t punish Americans with a shutdown and a “political stunt.”Democrats say they won’t back down.“It is truly a moral moment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”___Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.

    WASHINGTON —

    Senate Democrats are threatening to block legislation that would fund the Department of Homeland Security and several other agencies Thursday, potentially bringing the government a step closer to a partial shutdown if Republicans and the White House do not agree to new restrictions on President Donald Trump’s surge of immigration enforcement.

    As the country reels from the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, irate Senate Democrats laid out a list of demands ahead of a Thursday morning test vote, including that officers take off their masks and identify themselves and obtain warrants for arrest. If those are not met, Democrats say they are prepared to block the wide-ranging spending bill, denying Republicans the votes they need to pass it and triggering a shutdown at midnight on Friday.

    Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats won’t provide needed votes until U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is “reined in and overhauled.”

    “The American people support law enforcement, they support border security, they do not support ICE terrorizing our streets and killing American citizens,” Schumer said.

    There were some signs of possible progress as the White House has appeared open to trying to strike a deal with Democrats to avert a shutdown. The two sides were talking as of Wednesday evening, according to a person familiar with the negotiations who requested anonymity to speak about the private talks. One possible option discussed would be to strip the funding for the Homeland Security Department from the larger bill, as Schumer has requested, and extend it for a short period to allow time for negotiations, the person said. The rest of the bill would fund government agencies until September.

    Still, with no agreement yet and an uncertain path ahead, the standoff threatened to plunge the country into another shutdown just two months after Democrats blocked a spending bill over expiring federal health care subsidies, a dispute that closed the government for 43 days as Republicans refused to negotiate.

    That shutdown ended when a small group of moderate Democrats broke away to strike a deal with Republicans, but Democrats are more unified this time after the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Good by federal agents.

    Democrats lay out their demands

    There’s a lot of “unanimity and shared purpose” within the Democratic caucus, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith said after a lunch meeting Wednesday.

    “Boil it all down, what we are talking about is that these lawless ICE agents should be following the same rules that your local police department does,” Smith said. “There has to be accountability.”

    Amid the administration’s immigration crackdown, Schumer said Democrats are asking the White House to “end roving patrols” in cities and coordinate with local law enforcement on immigration arrests, including requiring tighter rules for warrants.

    Democrats also want an enforceable code of conduct so agents are held accountable when they violate rules. Schumer said agents should be required to have “masks off, body cameras on” and carry proper identification, as is common practice in most law enforcement agencies.

    The Democratic caucus is united in those “common sense reforms” and the burden is on Republicans to accept them, Schumer said, as he has pushed for the Homeland spending to be separated out to avoid a broader shutdown.

    Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., has indicated that he might be open to considering some of the Democrats’ demands, but he encouraged Democrats and the White House to talk and find agreement.

    Many obstacles to a deal

    As the two sides negotiated, it was still unclear whether they could agree on anything that would satisfy Democrats who want Trump’s aggressive crackdown to end.

    The White House had invited some Democrats for a discussion to better understand their positions and avoid a partial government shutdown, a senior White House official said, but the meeting did not happen. The official requested anonymity to discuss the private invitation.

    The House passed the six remaining funding bills last week and sent them to the Senate as a package, making it more difficult to strip out the homeland security portion as Democrats have demanded. Republicans could break the package apart with the consent of all 100 senators or through a series of votes that would extend past the Friday deadline.

    Even if the Senate can resolve the issue, House Republicans have said they do not want any changes to the bill they have passed. In a letter to Trump on Tuesday, the conservative House Freedom Caucus wrote that its members stand with the president and ICE.

    “The package will not come back through the House without funding for the Department of Homeland Security,” according to the letter.

    Republican opposition

    Several Republican senators have said they would be fine with Democrats’ request to separate the Homeland Security funds for further debate and pass the other bills in the package. But it might be more difficult to for Democrats to find broad GOP support for their demands on ICE.

    North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis said he’s OK with separating the bills, but is opposed to the Democrats’ proposal to require the immigration enforcement officers to unmask and show their faces, even as he blamed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for decisions that he said are “tarnishing” the agency’s reputation.

    “You know, there’s a lot of vicious people out there, and they’ll take a picture of your face, and the next thing you know, your children or your wife or your husband are being threatened at home,” Tillis said. “And that’s just the reality of the world that we’re in.”

    Republican Sen. John Cornyn of Texas said that “what happened over the weekend is a tragedy,” but Democrats shouldn’t punish Americans with a shutdown and a “political stunt.”

    Democrats say they won’t back down.

    “It is truly a moral moment,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. “I think we need to take a stand.”

    ___

    Associated Press writer Michelle Price in Washington contributed to this report.

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  • Gov. Walz calls out Trump’s attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar as ongoing ICE operations provoke fear


    Gov. Walz calls out Trump’s attacks on Rep. Ilhan Omar as ongoing ICE operations provoke fear – CBS News









































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    The situation on the ground in Minneapolis remains volatile after an attack on Rep. Ilhan Omar. Matt Gutman has the latest.

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  • One Democrat who helped pump $10 billion into ICE now regrets it — because siding with Donald Trump comes with a price | The Mary Sue

    Last week, seven Democrats defied their party and voted with the Republicans to help them pass a $ 64.4 billion bill that will fund the Department of Homeland Security. The same also allocates about $10 billion for the U.S.Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The individuals who voted for this include Representatives Henry Cuellar (Texas), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Washington), Jared Golden (Maine), Laura Gillen (New York), Don Davis (North Carolina), Tom Suozzi (New York) and Vicente Gonzalez (Texas).

    Since the aforementioned individuals decided to vote for funding the DHS and ICE, many of them have come forward with their own justifications for their decision, with a majority of them highlighting that other provisions mentioned in the bill were important for the people of the United States. For context, the same bill is also designed to fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the U.S. Secret Service, and the Disaster Relief Fund, among others. However, ever since the recent shooting and killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care nurse in Minneapolis, by ICE agents, one of the seven Democrats has seemingly distanced himself from his decision on the DHS and ICE funding bill. Representative Tom Suozzi from New York, on January 26, 2026, shared on his Facebook account via a post update that he had “failed to view the DHS funding vote as a referendum on the illegal and immoral conduct of ICE in Minneapolis.” He also said:

    I hear the anger from my constituents, and I take responsibility for that. I have long been critical of ICE’s unlawful behavior and I must do a better job demonstrating that.”

    Additionally, he condoned the killing of Alex Pretty and urged Trump to end “Operation Metro Surge” and ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis. He said:

    The senseless and tragic murder of Alex Pretti underscores what happens when untrained federal agents operate without accountability. President Trump must immediately end “Operation Metro Surge” and ICE’s occupation of Minneapolis that has sown chaos, led to tragedy, and undermined experienced local law enforcement.”

    Suozzi received a massive response to his post, with most criticising his behaviour. Many made scathing remarks against him, suggesting that his apologies over the matter were too late. Others vowed not to vote for Suozzi in the upcoming elections as a sign of revolt. A few of them, predominantly MAGA and Republican, extended their support to Suozzi and thanked him for his commitment “to doing better” for his constituents.

    Have a tip we should know? [email protected]

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    Sanchari Ghosh

    Sanchari Ghosh is a political writer for The Mary Sue who enjoys keeping up with what’s going on in the world and sometimes reminding everyone what they should be talking about. She’s been around for a few years, but still gets excited whenever she disentangles a complicated story. When she’s not writing, she’s likely sleeping, eating, daydreaming, or just hanging out with friends. Politics is her passion, but so is an amazing nap.

    Sanchari Ghosh

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  • 1/26: The Takeout with Major Garrett


    1/26: The Takeout with Major Garrett – CBS News









































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    Grief and outrage in Minneapolis after Alex Pretti killing; Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino set to leave Minneapolis.

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  • Former ICE chief of staff on Alex Pretti killing

    Deborah Fleischaker is the former executive secretary for the Department of Homeland Security and the former chief of staff at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement under the Biden administration. She joined CBS News to discuss the fatal Border Patrol shooting of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis.

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  • Another shutdown likely after ICE killings in Minnesota prompt revolt by Democrats

    WASHINGTON — The killing of a second U.S. citizen by federal agents in Minneapolis is deeply complicating efforts to avert another government shutdown in Washington as Democrats — and some Republicans — view the episode as a tipping point in the debate over the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement policies.

    Senate Democrats pledged to block funding for the Department of Homeland Security unless changes are made to rein in the federal agency’s operations following the killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old intensive care unit nurse.

    The Democratic defections threaten to derail passage of a broad spending package that also includes funding for the State Department and the Pentagon, as well as education, health, labor and transportation agencies. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) released a statement Monday calling on Republican Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to avert another shutdown by separating funding for DHS from the full appropriations package.

    “Senate Democrats have made clear we are ready to quickly advance the five appropriations bills separately from the DHS funding bill before the January 30th deadline. The responsibility to prevent a partial government shutdown is on Leader Thune and Senate Republicans,” Schumer said.

    The standoff also revealed fractures among GOP lawmakers, who called for a federal and state investigation into the shooting and congressional hearings for federal officials to explain their tactics — demands that have put unusual pressure on the Trump administration.

    Senate Republicans must secure 60 votes to advance the spending measure in the chamber — a threshold they cannot reach on their own with their 53 seats. The job is further complicated by a time crunch: Lawmakers have until midnight Friday to reach a compromise or face a partial government shutdown.

    Senate Democrats already expressed reservations about supporting the Homeland Security funding after Renee Good, a mother of three, was shot and killed this month by federal agents in Minneapolis. But Pretti’s killing led Democrats to be more forceful in their opposition.

    Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) said Sunday he would oppose funding for the agencies involved in the Minneapolis operations, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection.

    “I’m not giving ICE or Border Patrol another dime given how these agencies are operating. Democrats are not going to fund that,” he said in an interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “I think anyone who votes to give them more money to do this will share in the responsibility and see more Americans die in our cities as a result.”

    Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said in a statement last week that he would not “give more money to CBP and ICE to continue terrorizing our communities and breaking the law.” He reiterated his stance hours after Pretti’s killing.

    “I will vote against any additional funding for Trump’s ICE and CBP while they act with such reckless disregard for life, safety and the Constitution,” Padilla wrote on social media.

    While Senate Republicans largely intend to support the funding measure, some are publicly raising concerns about the Trump administration’s training requirements for ICE agents and calling for congressional oversight hearings.

    “A comprehensive, independent investigation of the shooting must be conducted in order to rebuild trust and Congressional committees need to hold hearings and do their oversight work,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) wrote on social media. “ICE agents do not have carte blanche in carrying out their duties.”

    Similar demands are being made by House Republicans.

    Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, formally sought testimony from leaders at ICE, Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, saying his “top priority remains keeping Americans safe.”

    Homeland Security has not yet provided a public confirmation that it will attend the hearing, though Garbarino told reporters Saturday he has been “in touch with the department” and anticipates a full investigation.

    Many Republican lawmakers expressed concern over federal officials saying Pretti’s killing was in part because of him having a loaded firearm. Pretti had a permit to carry, according to the Minneapolis police chief, and videos show him holding a cellphone, not brandishing a gun, before officers pushed him to the ground.

    “Carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a constitutionally protected God-given right, and if you don’t understand this you have no business in law enforcement of government,” Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) wrote on social media.

    Following pushback from the GOP, President Trump appears to be seeking ways to tone down the tensions. The president said Monday he had a “very good call” with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a Democrat he clashed with in recent weeks, and that they “seemed to be on a similar wavelength” on next steps.

    If Democrats are successful in striking down the Homeland Security spending package, some hinted at comprehensive immigration reforms to follow.

    California Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Fremont) detailed the plan on social media over the weekend, calling on Congress to repeal the $75 billion in supplemental funding for ICE in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act last year. The allocation roughly tripled the budget for immigration enforcement.

    The shooting came as a slate of progressives renewed demands to “abolish ICE” and replace it with an agency that has congressional oversight.

    Congress must “tear down and replace ICE with an agency that has oversight,” Khanna said. “We owe that to nurse Pretti and the hundreds of thousands on the streets risking their lives to stand up for our freedoms.”

    Democrats also are focusing on removing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. This month Rep. Robin Kelly (D-Ill.) introduced a measure to impeach Noem, saying she brought a “reign of terror to Minneapolis.” At least 120 House Democrats supported the measure, according to Kelly’s office.

    Party leaders recently called for an end to controversial “Kavanaugh stops,” which became central to ICE procedure following a September decision in Noem vs. Vasquez Perdomo by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. It allows for agents to stop people based on perceived race or for engaging in activities “associated with undocumented people,” like speaking a foreign language.

    Progressives also have endorsed the reversal of qualified immunity protections, which shield agents from misconduct lawsuits.

    Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) backed the agenda and called for ICE and Border Patrol agents to “leave Minnesota immediately.”

    “Voting NO on the DHS funding bill is the bare minimum. Backing Kristi Noem’s impeachment is the bare minimum. Holding law-breaking ICE agents legally accountable is the bare minimum. ICE is beyond reform. Abolish it,” she wrote Sunday on social media.

    Ana Ceballos, Gavin J. Quinton

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  • Trump defends ICE after Minneapolis shooting

    President Trump addressed Border Patrol’s killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis, writing, “Let our ICE patriots do their job.” He also accused the mayor of Minneapolis and governor of Minnesota of “inciting insurrection.” Willie James Inman reports.

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  • Latest details after another Minneapolis resident killed by federal agents


    Latest details after another Minneapolis resident killed by federal agents – CBS News









































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    CBS News Minnesota reports on what we know after federal agents shot and killed another person in south Minneapolis Saturday morning.

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  • Rep. Jim Jordan on Justice Department potentially prosecuting Jack Smith:

    House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan has long been a critic of former special counsel Jack Smith. On Thursday, Jordan had a chance to question Smith during his congressional testimony. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett spoke with Jordan about that and more.

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  • Vast, Rich Network of Left Wing Groups Keeps Public Inflamed | RealClearPolitics

    The unfolding debacle in Minneapolis captures an underappreciated fact about the Democratic Party.

    Barton Swaim, WSJ

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  • San Francisco based immigration attorney speaks about switching parties, voting Trump in 2024

    Mass migration, overflows at the border, and worsening street conditions because of drug dealing and crime in San Francisco are some of the issues Karina Velasquez started paying more attention to after the 2020 elections. 

    “I was actually totally against President Trump in his first term,” said Velasquez.

    She said she switched parties and voted for Trump in 2024, after supporting Hillary Clinton in 2016, and campaigning for Biden in 2020. 

    As an immigration attorney in San Francisco, Velasquez says an uncontrolled border under Democrats worsened and affected her clients seeking legal immigration status. 

    “Immigration delays during the Biden administration were horrendous. I’m talking about people who did interviews for asylum. I have those cases,” said Velasquez.  

    Velasquez came to the U.S. more than 25 years ago, becoming a naturalized citizen after spending her youth in Venezuela.

    Her support for Trump is stronger today, she says, because the ouster of former Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro means a better life for her native country and its people.   

    “I kind of knew that the day of the apprehension of Maduro, the end of the regime was closer,” said Velasquez.

    Other Republicans in the city, like San Francisco Republican Party Chair Nick Berg, who supported Nikki Haley for President, say the G.O.P has momentum heading into year two of Trump’s second administration. 

    “It’s a long-term project.  It’s a work in progress. We’re seeing some interest and some growth,” said Berg. 

    Berg is also a one-time Democrat who switched parties.

    The San Francisco resident says that around 2018, he became more concerned about open-air drug use and street-level crime. 

    He says mid-term elections this year are primed for even more change. 

    “I’m hoping that’s an opportunity where people do some soul searching and ask themselves, which party do they really think is going to solve the problems to come,” said Berg. 

    Velasquez believes a less divisive post-Trump era will lead to more Republicans at the local, state, and federal levels, and a more balanced approach to solving issues. 

    “You need to have independents, moderates, Republicans, Democrats, coming all together,” said Velasquez. 

    It’s a political shift she said she never thought she would make but stands by with conviction. 

    Kenny Choi

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  • 1/20: The Takeout with Major Garrett


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    President Trump speaks to reporters about his one year back in office; Justice Department subpoenas Walz, Frey and Ellison in immigration probe.

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  • Congressman Ami Bera says Republicans privately concerned about President Trump

    As Congress returns from recess this week, Sacramento Congressman Ami Bera says Republican lawmakers have privately expressed growing concern over President Donald Trump’s recent decisions.“I think they are very worried about what they’re seeing coming out of the President,” Bera said. “Even the actions with Venezuela — they weren’t consulted about any of this.”Bera, a Democrat who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, returned Sunday from South America, where he met with Peru’s foreign minister. He said it was too dangerous for him to travel to Venezuela, describing the country as fragile following U.S. military action that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.“They’re happy Maduro is gone,” Bera said of Peruvian officials. “They want to see a stable Venezuela, but they’re cautious because you still have the Maduro regime in place, and a lot could go wrong.”He added that while Peru welcomes Maduro’s removal, leaders there are concerned that ongoing instability could lead to increased migration into neighboring countries.Back in Washington, Congress faces a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Bera said lawmakers must address unresolved issues, including healthcare subsidies and immigration policy, after the action in Minneapolis. He also pointed to President Trump’s recent remarks about taking control of Greenland, which Trump has said is necessary for national security.“President Trump is not listening to anyone,” Bera said. “Now he’s talking about invading Greenland, and our closest allies in Europe are pissed off with us. He’s alienating everyone. I hope when I get back there tomorrow, Republicans will say enough is enough — let’s go around the president and get some of this stuff done.”Despite the challenges, Bera said he remains optimistic that a shutdown can be avoided.“I do not think the government will shut down because we saw how it hurt Americans,” he said. “We should negotiate. There’s going to be give and take. As Democrats, we’re not going to get everything we want. That’s how we’ve passed the appropriations bills so far, and I hope we get it done this week.”Bera also highlighted bipartisan support for extending health care subsidies, noting that 17 Republicans joined Democrats to back the measure, despite opposition from President Trump.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

    As Congress returns from recess this week, Sacramento Congressman Ami Bera says Republican lawmakers have privately expressed growing concern over President Donald Trump’s recent decisions.

    “I think they are very worried about what they’re seeing coming out of the President,” Bera said. “Even the actions with Venezuela — they weren’t consulted about any of this.”

    Bera, a Democrat who serves on the House Foreign Affairs and Intelligence Committees, returned Sunday from South America, where he met with Peru’s foreign minister. He said it was too dangerous for him to travel to Venezuela, describing the country as fragile following U.S. military action that led to the capture of President Nicolás Maduro.

    “They’re happy Maduro is gone,” Bera said of Peruvian officials. “They want to see a stable Venezuela, but they’re cautious because you still have the Maduro regime in place, and a lot could go wrong.”

    He added that while Peru welcomes Maduro’s removal, leaders there are concerned that ongoing instability could lead to increased migration into neighboring countries.

    Back in Washington, Congress faces a potential government shutdown at the end of the month. Bera said lawmakers must address unresolved issues, including healthcare subsidies and immigration policy, after the action in Minneapolis. He also pointed to President Trump’s recent remarks about taking control of Greenland, which Trump has said is necessary for national security.

    “President Trump is not listening to anyone,” Bera said. “Now he’s talking about invading Greenland, and our closest allies in Europe are pissed off with us. He’s alienating everyone. I hope when I get back there tomorrow, Republicans will say enough is enough — let’s go around the president and get some of this stuff done.”

    Despite the challenges, Bera said he remains optimistic that a shutdown can be avoided.

    “I do not think the government will shut down because we saw how it hurt Americans,” he said. “We should negotiate. There’s going to be give and take. As Democrats, we’re not going to get everything we want. That’s how we’ve passed the appropriations bills so far, and I hope we get it done this week.”

    Bera also highlighted bipartisan support for extending health care subsidies, noting that 17 Republicans joined Democrats to back the measure, despite opposition from President Trump.

    See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

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  • 1/18: CBS Weekend News


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    Active-duty soldiers put on standby as Minneapolis ICE protests continue; European leaders denounce Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland.

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  • Rough numbers for Trump in new CBS News poll, Republicans and Democrats split on ICE protesters

    A new CBS News poll shows only 41% of Americans approve of the job President Trump is doing, but there are wide partisan divides on his handling of specific issues like immigration. Willie James Inman has more.

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  • European leaders denounce Trump’s tariff threat over Greenland


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    European countries held an emergency meeting in Brussels Sunday in response to President Trump’s post threatening tariffs against countries that have sent military forces into Greenland amid his push to annex the Arctic island. Leigh Kiniry reports.

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  • ‘Abolish ICE’ messaging is back. Is it any more likely this time?

    WASHINGTON — “Abolish ICE.”

    Democratic lawmakers and candidates for office around the country increasingly are returning to the phrase, popularized during the first Trump administration, as they react to this administration’s forceful immigration enforcement tactics.

    The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent this month in Minneapolis sparked immediate outrage among Democratic officials, who proposed a variety of oversight demands — including abolishing the agency — to rein in tactics they view as hostile and sometimes illegal.

    Resurrecting the slogan is perhaps the riskiest approach. Republicans pounced on the opportunity to paint Democrats, especially those in vulnerable seats, as extremists.

    An anti-ICE activist in an inflatable costume stands next to a person with a sign during a protest near Legacy Emanuel Hospital on Jan. 10 in Portland, Ore. The demonstration follows the Jan. 7 fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis as well as the shooting of two individuals in Portland on Jan. 8 by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

    (Mathieu Lewis-Rolland / Getty Images)

    “If their response is to dust off ‘defund ICE,’ we’re happy to take that fight any day of the week,” said Christian Martinez, a spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee. The group has published dozens of press statements in recent weeks accusing Democrats of wanting to abolish ICE — even those who haven’t made direct statements using the phrase.

    Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) amplified that message Wednesday, writing on social media that “When Democrats say they want to abolish or defund ICE, what they are really saying is they want to go back to the open borders policies of the Biden administration. The American people soundly rejected that idea in the 2024 election.”

    The next day, Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) introduced the “Abolish ICE Act,” stating that Good’s killing “proved that ICE is out of control and beyond reform.” The bill would rescind the agency’s “unobligated” funding and redirect other assets to its parent agency, the Department of Homeland Security.

    Many Democrats calling for an outright elimination of ICE come from the party’s progressive wing. Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) said in a television interview the agency should be abolished because actions taken by its agents are “racist” and “rogue.” Jack Schlossberg, who is running for a House seat in New York, said that “if Trump’s ICE is shooting and kidnapping people, then abolish it.”

    Other prominent progressives have stopped short of saying the agency should be dismantled.

    A pair of protesters set up signs memorializing individuals

    A pair of protesters set up signs memorializing people who have been arrested by ICE, or have died in detention, at a rally in front of the Federal Building in Los Angeles on Friday.

    (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

    Sen. Alex Padilla, (D-Calif.) who last year was forcefully handcuffed and removed from a news conference hosted by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, joined a protest in Washington to demand justice for Good, saying “It’s time to get ICE and CBP out,” referring to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

    “This is a moment where all of us have to be forceful to ensure that we are pushing back on what is an agency right now that is out of control,” Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, said on social media. “We have to be loud and clear that ICE is not welcome in our communities.”

    Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) at a podium.

    Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Corona) said Democrats seeking to abolish ICE “want to go back to the open borders policies of the Biden administration.”

    (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press)

    Others have eyed negotiations over the yearly Homeland Security budget as a leverage point to incorporate their demands, such as requiring federal agents to remove their masks and to turn on their body-worn cameras when on duty, as well as calling for agents who commit crimes on the job to be prosecuted. Seventy House Democrats, including at least 13 from California, backed a measure to impeach Noem.

    Rep. Mike Levin (D-San Diego), who serves on the House Committee on Appropriations, said his focus is not on eliminating the agency, which he believes has an “important responsibility” but has been led astray by Noem.

    He said Noem should be held to account for her actions through congressional oversight hearings, not impeachment — at least not while Republicans would be in control of the proceedings, since he believes House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) would make a “mockery” of them.

    “I am going to use the appropriations process,” Levin said, adding that he would “continue to focus on the guardrails, regardless of the rhetoric.”

    Chuck Rocha, a Democratic political strategist, said Republicans seized on the abolitionist rhetoric as a scare tactic to distract from the rising cost of living, which remains another top voter concern.

    “They hope to distract [voters] by saying, ‘Sure, we’re going to get better on the economy — but these Democrats are still crazy,’” he said.

    an inflatable doll of Trump in a Russian military outfit

    Dozens of Angelenos and D.C.-area organizers, along with local activists, rally in front of the Federal Building in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. Democrats have for years struggled to put forward a unified vision on immigration — one of the top issues that won President Trump a return to the White House.

    (Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times)

    Democrats have for years struggled to put forward a unified vision on immigration — one of the top issues that won President Trump a return to the White House. Any deal to increase guardrails on Homeland Security faces an uphill battle in the Republican-controlled Congress, leaving many proposals years away from the possibility of fruition. Even if Democrats manage to block the yearly funding bill, the agency still has tens of billions of dollars from Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

    Still, the roving raids, violent clashes with protesters and detentions and deaths of U.S. citizens and immigrants alike increased the urgency many lawmakers feel to do something.

    Two centrist groups released memos last week written by former Homeland Security officials under the Biden administration urging Democrats to avoid the polarizing language and instead channel their outrage into specific reforms.

    “Every call to abolish ICE risks squandering one of the clearest opportunities in years to secure meaningful reform of immigration enforcement — while handing Republicans exactly the fight they want,” wrote the authors of one memo, from the Washington-based think tank Third Way.

    “Advocating for abolishing ICE is tantamount to advocating for stopping enforcement of all of our immigration laws in the interior of the United States — a policy position that is both wrong on the merits and at odds with the American public on the issue,” wrote Blas Nuñez-Neto, a senior policy fellow at the new think tank the Searchlight Institute who previously was assistant Homeland Security secretary.

    Roughly 46% of Americans said they support the idea of abolishing ICE, while 43% are opposed, according to a YouGov/Economist poll released last week.

    Sarah Pierce, a former policy analyst at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services who co-wrote the Third Way memo, said future polls might show less support for abolishing the agency, particularly if the question is framed as a choice among options including reforms such as banning agents from wearing masks or requiring use of body cameras.

    “There’s no doubt there will be further tragedies and with each, the effort to take an extreme position like abolishing ICE increases,” she said.

    Laura Hernandez, executive director of Freedom for Immigrants, a California-based organization that advocates for the closure of detention centers, said the increase in lawmakers calling to abolish ICE is long overdue.

    “We need lawmakers to use their power to stop militarized raids, to close detention centers and we need them to shut down ICE and CBP,” she said. “This violence that people are seeing on television is not new, it’s literally built into the DNA of DHS.”

    Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) smiles

    Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Mich.) introduced the “Abolish ICE Act.”

    (Paul Sancya / Associated Press)

    Cinthya Martinez, a UC Santa Cruz professor who has studied the movement to abolish ICE, noted that it stems from the movement to abolish prisons. The abolition part, she said, is watered down by mainstream politicians even as some liken immigration agents to modern-day slave patrols.

    Martinez said the goal is about more than simply getting rid of one agency or redirecting its duties to another. She pointed out that alongside ICE agents have been Border Patrol, FBI and ATF agents.

    “A lot of folks forget that prison abolition is to completely abolish carceral systems. It comes from a Black tradition that says prison is a continuation of slavery,” she said.

    But Peter Markowitz, a law professor and co-director of the Immigration Justice Clinic at the Cardozo School of Law, said the movement to abolish ICE around 2018 among mainstream politicians was always about having effective and humane immigration enforcement, not about having none.

    “But it fizzled because it didn’t have an answer to the policy question that follows: If not ICE, then what?” he said. “I hope we’re in a different position today.”

    Andrea Castillo, Ana Ceballos

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