Below is a message from Shasti Conrad, Chair, Washington State Democratic Party. Hello, We are one week removed from the Inauguration of Donald Trump and Washington state has already established itself as the epicenter of the resistance to Republican overreach and unconstitutionality. Best Performing Democratic State Party in the Country On election night and the following weeks as all ballots were counted, while the rest of the country experienced an average three-point shift towards Republicans, Washington state had the best performance of any Democratic Party in the country. Washington actually shifted more towards Democrats compared to 2020 results than any other state in the nation. You can read more about our performance here. Washington Democrats swept every statewide race, protected its 8-2 Democratic Congressional majority, increased our legislative majorities for the fifth cycle in a row, and defeated three of four conservative, mega-millionaire-backed initiatives that would have rolled back Progressive victories. Resistance to Tyranny Almost immediately after Trump’s flurry of Executive Orders were signed, Washington new Attorney General Nick Brown joined 17 other states to file a lawsuit challenging the end of birthright citizenship. On Thursday of last week, a Reagan-appointed federal judge in Washington state temporarily blocked Trump’s Executive Order nationwide, calling the order “blatantly unconstitutional” based on the work of Attorney General Brown’s team. Attorney General Brown, Washington’s first-ever Black Attorney General, issued a statement, reiterating that it is unconstitutional for the federal government to commandeer state and local law enforcement for immigration enforcement. Governor Bob Ferguson further stated that his office is going through Trump’s Project 2025 line by line to prepare defenses for Washington communities from federal overreach. He will be working to minimize the worst impacts of Trump’s policies in Washington state.Part of this effort is the Executive Order Governor Ferguson signed last week creating a team to focus on responding to the separation of migrant families as the Trump administration seeks mass deportations. Our State Legislature is also getting involved. State Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-43rd LD) pointed to legislation that would protect Washington’s trans students while Speaker of the House Laurie Jinkins (D-27th LD) is supportive of legislation introduced by Rep. Sharlett Mena (D-29th LD) that would restrict when the National Guard from other states would be allowed to enter Washington’s borders. Superintendent of Public Instruction Chris Reykdal released rules to help school districts navigate potential ICE raids. The guidance cited specific state and federal laws and outlined specific actions districts should and should not take. It made it clear that schools should not collect student’s social security numbers or ask to see birth certificates. In the other Washington, U.S. Senator Patty Murray used the anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision to hammer Republicans for peddling anti-abortion lies and pushing extremism instead of focusing on lowering costs to help American families. Senator Murray also blasted Trump’s “illegal” pause of all federal grant disbursements that will significantly harm the people and community organizations that rely on these federally authorized and congressionally approved funding. Immigrant Resources If you see ICE activity taking place or any marked vehicles, please report it immediately to Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network at 1-844-724-3737. Know your rights. Do not open the door. “ICE warrants” authorities may claim to have are not legal to enter your home. ICE warrants must be signed by a local judge to enter your home. If you need legal assistance, call the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project at 1-800-445-5771 Services for immigrants: In the News The Washington State Standard: Ferguson launches WA team to help children whose parents are deported
The Seattle Times: Trump order pausing federal grants is ‘illegal’ overreach, says Sen. Murray The Olympian: Governor, House Speaker say WA is preparing to respond to Trump’s deportation plans The Seattle Times: Judge in Seattle blocks Trump order on birthright citizenship nationwide The Seattle Times: OSPI sends immigration guidance to WA schools amid Trump orders WA Office of the Attorney General: Joint statement from AG Brown, 12 other Attorneys General: state and local law enforcement cannot be commandeered for federal immigration enforcement Kitsap Sun: Democrats in Washington legislature say they want to avoid ‘chaos machine’ in D.C. U.S. Senate: On Roe anniversary, Senator Murray, Democrats hammer Republicans for pushing anti-abortion lies and dangerous extremism rather than lowering costs, helping families For more information or to get involved, please contact Shasti Conrad at [email protected]. Comments are closed.
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