[March 7, 2026] Democratic Representatives Greg Landsman of Ohio, Jared Golden of Maine, Henry Cuellar of Texas, and Juan Vargas of California all voted with Republicans to defeat the War Powers Act vote in the House. Had these Democrats voted with their party, the resolution would have passed 216-215.
Author Archives: D Jeanne
[Posted 3/5/2026] U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who voted for a punitive immigration bill last year called the Laken Riley Act, reversed herself Monday, writing in a Star Tribune commentary that she regrets her “yes” vote.
Craig represents the 2nd Congressional District and is currently running in the Democratic primary for retiring Tina Smith’s U.S. Senate seat. Her strongest opponent, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, has repeatedly criticized Craig for her vote. The Laken Riley Act was named after a nursing student at Augusta University, murdered in 2024 by an undocumented immigrant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan. Ibarra was convicted and sentenced to life without possibility of parole.
The Laken Riley Act was the first law signed by Donald Trump, and it became his rallying cry for a severe crackdown on immigrants both entering and living in the U.S. Primarily, the Laken Riley Act requires the mandatory federal detention of any non-U.S. national who is unlawfully present and has been arrested for, charged with, or convicted of specific offenses: any theft-related crimes, the assault of law enforcement, and crimes causing serious harm (whether or not intended). Furthermore, states are given broad powers to sue to the federal government over immigration decisions.
Current defense actions involve questioning Ibarra’s mental competency and understanding of English and American legal procedure when he waived his right to a jury trial.
Springsteen says, he wrote it over the weekend. I just heard a short clip on “The Eleventh Hour with Stephanie Ruhle” show (MSNOW). It reminded me of the song, “Ohio” by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Listen for it on your preferred music source.
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Smokey the Bear on Fascism (creator unknown). Text inspired by Timothy Snyder, “On Tyranny.”
From the Asoociated Press (Jan 24): “Family members say the man killed by a U.S. Border Patrol officer in Minneapolis on Saturday was an intensive care nurse at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital who cared deeply about people and was upset by President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown in his city.
“Alex Jeffrey Pretti, 37, was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed getting in adventures with Joule, his beloved Catahoula Leopard dog who also recently died. He had participated in protests following the killing of Renee Good by a U.S. Immigration and Customs officer on Jan. 7.“
See: Man killed by Border Patrol in Minneapolis was ICU nurse | AP News
Man fatally shot by Border Patrol agents was a federal employee at VA
ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis cared for veterans
As reported by the Minnesota Reformer, January 23, 2026:
“Citing the killing of Renee Good by federal agent Jonathan Ross, the “ICE Out” day organizers say the general strike is intended to be a day of nonviolent reflection.
“’It is time to suspend the normal order of business to demand immediate cessation of ICE actions in Minnesota, accountability for federal agents who have caused loss of life and abuse to Minnesota residents and call for Congress to immediately intervene,” the website states.
“Demonstrators will march and rally in downtown Minneapolis Friday starting at 2 p.m.
“Over 100 businesses, restaurants and co-ops in the Twin Cities have announced plans to close Friday, according to Bring Me The News, which is keeping a running list.
“Minneapolis was home to a landmark general strike nearly 100 years ago that was organized by truck drivers with the Teamsters Local 574. Minneapolis then was a non-union town thanks to a business advocacy group called the Citizens Alliance.”
Day of Action and Reflection in Minnesota
Message from SD31
DFL Friends—
While we are heading toward Caucus Night, so much else is going on. But one of the most important events is the planned Day of Action and Reflection, sometimes called a general Strike, tomorrow— in support of immigrants and refugees, and in resistance to ICE and their cruelty and violence. Many businesses will close, and people are asked to avoid shopping and other activities if they are able. Despite the cold, there will also be peaceful demonstrations.
The statement below came yesterday from the American Swedish Institute, and is one of the best explanations of what is behind this Day of Action and Reflection. My grandfather came to the US from Sweden at age 8, in 1902. By age 23 he was fighting for the US in WWI. And most of us have similar stories in our heritage. So let’s spend some time remembering how our own family stories connect us with our good neighbors— people who have joined us from other places such as Somalia— and support them. Here is the ASI message:
ASI Will Be Closed on Friday, Jan 23
For nearly 100 years, ASI has welcomed, celebrated, and studied immigration. ASI is a place created by immigrants and has transformed into a welcoming place that inspires curiosity, embraces creativity, and grows community by exploring the past, present, and future.
We are a safe space for learning and connection, especially in moments like these, when our neighborhood needs it most. ASI stands with our community in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities, and Minnesota, now and always.
On Friday, January 23, ASI will join organizations in Minneapolis and beyond who are participating in a day of action and reflection in response to increased ICE activity in our community by closing for the day. ASI staff are encouraged to participate in whatever ways feel most meaningful to them.
We invite you to join us in supporting our local community. If we can answer any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Best wishes,
Molly Steenson
CEO & President, American Swedish Institute
Observe Friday in any way you are able. Many places of work will stay open and employees cannot all just stay home. But please avoid any unnecessary business activities— and take this time to reflect on our mutual connections and mutual history— and the importance of keeping the real America alive in these dark times.
AND REMEMBER: Be careful out there…Stay safe and warm!
Peter
Communications Director
SD31 DFL
The Minnesota DFL.org website recommends reading and sharing this current op-ed by Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Keith Ellison: MLK’s warnings about injustice have urgency here today
By Keith Ellison
4-5 minutes
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. warned us that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. He knew the gravest dangers to democracy came through normalizing cruelty, political retaliation, and abuses of power.
Today, his warning has never felt more urgent. For months, Minnesotans have faced escalating threats, intimidation, and violence from the Trump administration’s federal invasion of our communities.
As the President tries to goad our people into escalation, we’ve instead chosen peaceful protest, mutual aid, and to protect each other from the terror we’re living through at the hands of violent, masked forces.
This month, the violence turned deadly when a Department of Homeland Security agent took the life of our neighbor, Renee Nicole Good — a mother, a wife, and a U.S. citizen doing her part to fight injustice by legally observing and looking out for her neighbors.
The truth is, what’s happening to Minnesota isn’t accidental. It’s not about public safety, fraud, or even immigration enforcement. It’s the latest in a campaign of retribution by President Donald Trump towards a state that has never voted for him, with no regard for the people who live here. Trump’s own chief of staff described it as “score settling” and admitted, “when there’s an opportunity, he will go for it.”
She’s right — President Trump has rarely missed an opportunity to abuse his power in service of callous retribution.
Spreading conspiracies after the tragedy of my friend Melissa Hortman’s assassination is retribution by Donald Trump.
Cutting 12,000 Minnesota families off from child care is retribution by Donald Trump.
Trying to cut Minnesota off from the SNAP, harming almost half a million people, is retribution by Donald Trump
And surging a reported 2,000 ICE agents into our neighborhoods — their self-proclaimed “largest operation ever” — is retribution by Donald Trump. Retribution that left a mother dead.
These are not only policy choices — these are deliberate acts that punish families, destabilize communities, and put lives at risk.
That’s why I am challenging Trump and Noem’s federal invasion of our state in court and fighting to protect Minnesota’s access to Medicaid, SNAP and child care from a federal government that cares only about settling scores. Minnesotans know that as long as I am their attorney general, I will never stop fighting for them.
And as we fight for our neighbors, Minnesota’s Republican elected officials have co-signed these actions. Every elected leader in Minnesota must now decide: Stand up for Minnesotans or stand with President Trump and his attacks on our neighbors, our budgets, and our values. In moments of crisis, Minnesotans have always chosen to stand up for one another. We should demand the same of our leaders.
To our friends watching around the country, know this: Trump’s assault on the American people will not stop with Minnesota. We’re the beta test for his campaign of violent retaliation against his perceived enemies.
Here’s what the rest of America can learn from us: We will not roll over. If compliance means Minnesotans losing access to child care, or the most vulnerable losing access to food, or neighbors losing their lives while standing up for each other, our answer is simple: We will not comply.
Instead, we’ll keep protesting peacefully, volunteering, donating, and protecting our neighbors from harm, no matter where they were born.
Dr. King taught us that the arc of the moral universe bends towards justice, but only when we pull it. We need all hands on that arc to preserve our democracy, and recommit our nation to the goal of living up to our lofty ideals.
Democracy does not defend itself. That’s our job.
Keith Ellison has been Minnesota’s attorney general since 2019. He previously represented Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District from 2007 to 2019.
A federal judge is still weighing Minnesota officials’ request to temporarily block the ICE surge, ordering Trump administration attorneys to file written responses by Monday (Jan. 19th). (WCCO)