In response to the assault of Senator Alex Padilla, the first Latino elected to the U.S. Senate from California, at a Department of Homeland Security press briefing today, DNC Chair Ken Martin released the following statement:
“This assault on U.S. Senator Alex Padilla has sent a violent message to all of America: If you dissent against Donald Trump and openly disagree with the government, then you are not safe in our country. It doesn’t matter if you are a duly elected official — if you ask questions, if you stand up to Trump and Kristi Noem’s abuse of power, then government thugs will come after you. Make no mistake: This horrifying escalation of violence is straight out of an authoritarian playbook. Trump is a weak man, yet he’s desperate to look strong as more Americans become enraged by the chaos he’s inciting in California. His dangerous approach to immigration enforcement stokes fear, profiles Black and Brown communities, rips families apart, and sows violence.
“Trump is out of control. He’s now using federal law enforcement to silence those who are exercising their rights. This has nothing to do with law and order — it’s a disgusting abuse of power.”
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