No Unanimous Consent Until Accountability – Use Every Tool to Defend Democracy

I am writing to urge you to take immediate and sustained action in defense of democratic norms, the rule of law, and the rights of working-class Americans and immigrants who are being actively marginalized by coordinated political abuses of power. Kristi Noem's recent comments and actions surrounding the LA protests and her rhetoric toward Senator Alex Padilla are not only unacceptable—they represent a dangerous escalation of racialized fear-mongering and authoritarian signaling. Her continued presence in a position of influence sends the wrong message to millions of Americans. There must be accountability. Until she is removed or resigns, I ask that you object to all unanimous consent agreements in the Senate. The normal flow of business must not resume until normal standards of leadership and decency are restored. Furthermore, the current administration’s attempts to consolidate power through an increasingly politicized judicial agenda must be met with full resistance. I urge you to blue-slip every judicial nominee, use procedural rules to slow the nomination process, and reject any attempt to normalize a regime that is clearly pursuing an unconstitutional expansion of its authority. This is not politics as usual. Waiting for the pendulum to swing back is a privilege that working-class people and immigrant communities cannot afford. They are already living with the consequences of inaction—whether through legal disenfranchisement, judicial overreach, or state-enabled violence. The Senate must not aid or abet this power grab by granting business-as-usual privileges to those enabling it. Use every tool available. The American people are watching—not just for change, but for courage.