1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

It is time for all members of Congress to use their power to rein in the Trump-Vance administration and the acts of violence they are allowing to occur in Minnesota and other states through the Department of Homeland Security. In just three weeks, two American citizens who have committed no crimes have been executed in the street for doing nothing but legally observing the atrocities committed by these agents against the American people. In Mr. Pretti’s case, he was there as a legal observer, recording as Border Patrol agents shoved a woman to the ground. He tried to help her and was pepper-sprayed, beaten, and pistol-whipped before being mercilessly executed on the street. The Trump-Vance administration then called this VA nurse a domestic terrorist, even though he carried a gun that he was legally permitted to carry. Pretti never brandished or pointed his gun at federal officers. This violence, intimidation, and incompetence cannot be tolerated. As our elected representatives, it is Congress’s job and responsibility to protect American citizens and our rights; it is not your duty to submit to an administration that believes it is above the law. You should demand Kristi Noem’s immediate resignation, and if she will not step down, the process for her impeachment should begin. Senators should demand that the appropriations bill for DHS be separate from the rest of the funding package, and every Senator should vote against giving DHS more money to terrorize Americans. Congress also needs to rescind the funds allocated to ICE in last year’s budget reconciliation bill. It is well past time to stand up and demand that the Trump-Vance administration be held accountable for these atrocities and be forced by Congress to handle immigration reform and enforcement responsibly, respecting due process as outlined in our Constitution. Congress should establish and enforce guardrails that prevent the Trump-Vance administration and DHS from continuing to ignore our laws and harm American citizens and immigrants. Immigration enforcement is necessary, but it must be conducted responsibly. If you believe in the Constitution and everything this country was founded on, you must stand up against this administration, and the Republican Party must stop allowing it usurp Congress’s power. We have checks and balances for a reason, and Republican leaders are failing to meet this moment and stand up for what is right. If you love this country, you will not remain silent as our institutions are dismantled and innocent people are executed in the street. I implore you to do the right thing and stand up for the people of this great nation.