Three Democratic governors testified before Congress on Thursday about their states’ immigration policies, as protests against the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts sweep the country.
Governors Tim Walz of Minnesota, Kathy Hochul of New York, and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois were called to appear before the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform long before the clashes in downtown Los Angeles began last week.
Walz drew fire from a number of Republicans on the panel for comparing ICE to President Donald Trump’s “modern-day Gestapo.”
“You realize how disgusting a phrase that is, considering the history of Nazi Germany? Would you like to recant that statement?” said GOP Rep. Byron Donalds.
“What I said, Congressman, and I have a long history of supporting law enforcement, I said President Trump was using them as his modern day Gestapo — not identifying who you are, coming up in unmarked bands, taking people away,” Walz responded.
The protests against workplace immigration raids escalated after Trump called in the National Guard and the Marines.
House Republicans worked to put down Democrats over immigration policies that the GOP argues protect criminals.
Read More
LA protests live: Trump admin threatens military deployment nationwide as rallies flare up across US
Democratic governors will defend immigration policies before Republican-led House panel
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:03
,
Gustaf Kilander
Joey Cappelletti and David A. Lieb write:
As President Donald Trump spars with California's governor over immigration enforcement, Republicans in Congress are calling other Democratic governors to the Capitol on Thursday to question them over policies limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities.
The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform posted a video ahead of the hearing highlighting crimes allegedly committed by immigrants in the U.S. illegally and pledging that “sanctuary state governors will answer to the American people."
The hearing is to include testimony from Govs. JB Pritzker of Illinois, Tim Walz of Minnesota and Kathy Hochul of New York.
Read more:
On campaign trail, Trump claimed Democrats urged 'migrant crime wave'
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:22
,
Gustaf Kilander
During his campaign last year, Trump claimed that undocumented immigrants are violent and dangerous, arguing that Democrats were behind a “migrant crime wave,” going against the picture painted by official statistics.
Trump issued executive orders earlier this year, taking aim at what’s called sanctuary cities, jurisdictions that restrict their collaboration with federal immigration enforcement. Some have explicit polices protecting undocumented immigrants.
One of the orders issued by the president instructs that federal funds not be granted to cities and counties that don’t work for immigration enforcement.
Why anti-ICE protests are spreading across the US
Thursday 12 June 2025 14:40
,
Gustaf Kilander
James Liddell, Mike Bedigan, and Rebecca Whittaker write:
Thousands of Angelenos experienced their second evening of curfew on Wednesday as Mayor Karen Bass continued her crackdown on looters and vandals in downtown Los Angeles.
More demonstrations were scheduled for Thursday, almost a week after a string of ICE raids last Friday sparked a wave of unrest in LA. By Saturday morning, President Donald Trump caused fresh outrage after deploying the National Guard before eventually mobilizing the U.S. Marines days later.
Read more:
Congressional Republicans target areas choosing not to work with federal immigration enforcement
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
Congressional Republicans have pushed bills targeting states and localities choosing not to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement.
Oversight panel chair Rep. James Comer, a Kentucky Republican, has said that he would use the power of the panel to review the effects of sanctuary legislation.
The panel is one of the most confrontational on the Hill, with at times tense moments from its hearings making the rounds on social media.
Live: Republicans grill Democrat governors Hochul, Walz and Pritzker on immigration policy
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
Hearing begins with chairman's opening statement
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:09
,
Gustaf Kilander
Chairman James Comer opened the hearing with his opening statement.
“Today, the House Oversight Committee will continue to examine the consequences of reckless and dangerous sanctuary policies that jeopardize public safety,” he said. “Three sanctuary state governors from Minnesota, New York, and Illinois are here to testify under oath about why they allow criminal illegal aliens to roam free in American communities.”
Comer argues 'unlimited illegal immigration' is Democratic policy
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:14
,
Gustaf Kilander
Comer continued, saying that “Democrat-run sanctuary cities and states are siding with illegal aliens.”
“For today's Democrat party, it seems unlimited illegal immigration isn't a failure of policy, it is the policy, and that agenda is being pushed at every level of government,” he added. “And this comes at a steep cost to public safety, strains law enforcement resources, and imposes a massive financial burden on both federal and state taxpayers.”
'Californians are now forced to navigate an active military zone,' ranking Democrat says
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:17
,
Gustaf Kilander
The ranking member of the committee, Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch, used his opening statement to slam the Trump administration for its handling of immigration issues and the protests in California.
“As we sit in this hearing and at the order of President Trump, the National Guard are on the streets of Los Angeles, and active duty Marines are on their way at Trump's order,” said Lynch. “Californians are now forced to navigate an active military zone in their midst as they try to go to work or decide if it's safe to send their kids to school.”
Lynch says comparing ICE arrest to Gestapo actions is 'appropriate'
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:25
,
Gustaf Kilander
After Comer slammed Walz for comparing ICE to Trump’s Gestapo, Lynch pushed back.
“In late March, ICE agents wearing masks and hoodies detained Rümeysa Öztürk, and those of you who watched that, that abduction, when you compare the old films of the Gestapo grabbing people off the streets of Poland, and you compare them to those nondescript thugs who grabbed that that student, that graduate student, it does look like a Gestapo operation,” he said.
“She was snatched away and detained 1700 miles away. Her Congresswoman couldn't reach her, her family couldn't reach her. She was held incommunicado 1700 miles away. Her attorney could not reach her,” said Lynch.
“Yeah, that was Gestapo. That's an appropriate comparison,” he added.
Walz pushes back on notion Minnesota is a 'sanctuary state'
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:31
,
Gustaf Kilander
In his opening statement, Walz defended his state, saying, “Minnesota has been ranked the fourth best state to live in, the second best state to raise a family in, and the third best state for jobs.”
“When it comes to serious crime, Minnesota has hit its lowest level in over three decades, and we consistently have lower violent crime rates than the US average,” he said.
He pushed back on the notion that Minnesota is a sanctuary state.
“Minnesota is not even a sanctuary state. The Minnesota legislature has passed no such bill making Minnesota a sanctuary state, and I have signed no such law. Minnesota cooperates with federal authorities in a number of ways,” he argued.
Pritzker says border state politicians treat immigrants as 'political pawns'
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:37
,
Gustaf Kilander
Pritzker said Illinois has “been strengthened by people from across the globe, seeking freedom, opportunity, and refuge here.”
“Recently, children, pregnant women, and others fled poverty, violence, and persecution, seeking asylum at our border,” he added. “Some border state politicians chose to treat them as political pawns, bussing them to states like mine and dropping them off in the dead of night in the freezing cold.”
“Illinois chose a different path,” he added. “Faced with a humanitarian crisis, our state made sure children and families did not go hungry or freeze to death. By doing so, we helped to maintain safety and order.”
Trump says farmers complain about his immigration policy
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:40
,
Gustaf Kilander
Trump took to Truth Social on Thursday to say that “our great Farmers and people in the Hotel and Leisure business have been stating that our very aggressive policy on immigration is taking very good, long-time workers away from them, with those jobs being almost impossible to replace.”
“In many cases the Criminals allowed into our Country by the VERY Stupid Biden Open Borders Policy are applying for those jobs,” he added. “This is not good. We must protect our Farmers, but get the CRIMINALS OUT OF THE USA. Changes are coming!”
'We don't do civil immigration enforcement,' Hochul says
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:43
,
Gustaf Kilander
In her opening statement, Hochul said, “Since I've become governor, we've cooperated in handing over 1300 convicted criminals to ICE.”
“But what we don't do is civil immigration enforcement. That's the federal government's job,” she added. “New Yorkers need their state troopers on our highways seizing guns and drugs.”
“States like mine are doing our part, but we can't be expected to fix the broken immigration system,” said Hochul.
In pictures: Democratic governors testify before Congress
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:46
,
Gustaf Kilander
Comer calls comparison between ICE and Gestapo 'offensive'
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:51
,
Gustaf Kilander
Comer began questioning by taking aim at Walz, calling the comparison between ICE and the Gestapo “offensive.”
“Do you think that comments like that and rhetoric like that put ICE officers and other law enforcement in greater danger?” he asked.
Walz said any attacks on law enforcement are unacceptable, but was soon interrupted by Comer, who changed his focus to Pritzker.
Comer presses Walz on Biden's 'cognitive decline'
Thursday 12 June 2025 15:55
,
Gustaf Kilander
Comer pressed Walz on whether he ever asked “Vice President Harris about former President Biden's and then President Biden's cognitive decline?”
“No, not that I can recall,” said Walz.
“As governor, and then being on the ticket, I was probably more concerned with my own debate performance than President Biden’s,” he added.
Stefanik accuses Hochul of 'shielding illegals'
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:05
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York pressed her state’s governor, Kathy Hochul, on a number of crimes in the state.
“You are not advocating on behalf of these victims, you are shielding illegals,” said Stefanik.
“Rather than addressing the illegals in New York, you're prioritizing your far-left sanctuary state policy,” she added.
Hochul pushed back, saying her administration cooperates with ICE.
WATCH: Stefanik goes after Hochul amid consideration of gubernatorial run
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:11
,
Gustaf Kilander
Stefanik, who is considering a gubernatorial run, uses her questioning time to try to demolish Kathy Hochul pic.twitter.com/rvfqXigTY6
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 12, 2025
Emmer slams Walz for 'comparing ICE to Nazis'
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:17
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota slammed his state’s governor, Tim Walz, for his “inflammatory” rhetoric.
“It saddens me that you refuse to express regret from comparing ICE to Nazis,” he said. “ICE agents are brave Americans who get up every morning, leave their families, and put their lives in harm's way to protect our country, sir. You, at the very least, owe an apology to these dedicated public servants.”
“Governor, your agenda is clear: free health care, free college, and driver's licenses for illegals while handcuffing law enforcement when they're trying to protect our citizens and their communities,” he added. “If you think that's not a sanctuary state, you shouldn't be governor.”
Rep. Mfume enters article into the record
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:21
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Kweisi Mfume requested that an article by The Independent be entered into the record.
Read it here:
'This is sanctuary policy, in a nutshell': Jordan blasts Hochul
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:30
,
Gustaf Kilander
Ohio GOP Rep. Jim Jordan went after Hochul for a case involving a man who assaulted law enforcement.
“This guy's a citizen of Mexico, deported seven times, came to your state, assaulted one of your residents with a machete, choked a police officer, then, when he was in custody, assaulted a corrections officer,” said Jordan. “ICE finds out this guy is in your state's custody, and they send you a detainer.”
Jordan went on to say that the man was not held.
“We can't keep the machete guy who would choke the police officer and assault a corrections officer,” he added.
“Was Tompkins County wrong in the actions they took on January 25, 2025, when they wouldn't hold the guy for one hour and 18 minutes?” Jordan asked.
Hochul attempted to push back, but Jordan repeatedly interrupted her.
The governor said Jordan was “mischaracterizing” the situation.
“This is sanctuary policy, in a nutshell,” said Jordan.
Rep. Brandon Gill questions Pritzker on trans issues and Hamas
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:46
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Brandon Gill pressed Pritzker on whether he wants to abolish ICE.
“I do not support abolishing an immigration force,” said Pritzker.
Gill moved off the topic of immigration to question Pritzker about transgender rights and Hamas.
“Do you think that biological men should be able to use women's restrooms?”
“I'm not sure how this has to do with” immigration, said Pritzker.
After questioning Pritzker about a tweet saying that everyone should use the opposite gender’s bathroom as a protest to Trump, Gill asked, “Have you ever used the women's restroom?”
“Not that I can recall,” the governor said.
“Do you support Hamas' agenda?” asked Gill.
“Sir, I do not. They are a terrorist organization,” Pritzker said.
“Your administration gave a grant to the Muslim Civic Coalition, which, just two weeks after October 7, was marching in the streets of Chicago, to quote, ‘stop the US-backed genocide against Gaza’. Is that a reflection of your values?” Gill pressed.
“I have spent my life fighting anti-Semitism,” Pritzker responded.
Donalds calls on Walz to 'recant' Gestapo statement
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:53
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Byron Donalds severely criticized Walz for comparing ICE to Gestapo.
“You realize how disgusting a phrase that is, considering the history of Nazi Germany? Would you like to recant that statement?” said Donalds.
“What I said, Congressman, and I have a long history of supporting law enforcement, I said President Trump was using them as his modern day Gestapo — not identifying who you are, coming up in unmarked bands, taking people away,” Walz responded.
Hochul criticizes GOP for putting 'federal' problem on states
Thursday 12 June 2025 16:57
,
Gustaf Kilander
Hochul slammed Republicans for “putting a federal problem on our laps.”
“And you know what? It gets old. After all, I wish you would just do your jobs,” she added.
Andy Biggs questions Walz on immigration enforcement in Minnesota
Thursday 12 June 2025 17:18
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Andy Biggs took aim at Walz, asking, “Do you agree with ... your attorney general's opinion saying that it's not lawful for Minnesota counties to hold people for immigration authorities, even when there is an immigration warrant, do you agree with his statement?”
“Well, I know you know this, Congressman, that all 87 Minnesota counties follow federal law,” said Walz.
“I don't know that,” said Biggs.
Hochul calls out Homan
Thursday 12 June 2025 17:27
,
Gustaf Kilander
Hochul called out Trump Border Czar Tom Homan, who has appeared to threaten to arrest California Governor Gavin Newsom.
“I have the highest duty to protect the people of my state, and indeed, if Tom Homan were to come to try to arrest us, me rather, I can say first of all that he can try,” she said.
“I can also tell you that I will stand in the way of Tom Homan going after people who don't deserve to be frightened in their communities, who don't deserve to be threatened or terrorized. I would rather that he came and arrested me than do that to the people of my state,” she added.
WATCH: Jim Jordan and Kathy Hochul get into heated back and forth during immigration hearing
Thursday 12 June 2025 17:46
,
Gustaf Kilander
Democrat calls out Trump for 'undermining the rights that protect all of us'
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:03
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Greg Casar, Democrat of Texas, blasted the Trump administration for focusing “not on violent criminals, but on indiscriminately rounding up as many people as possible.”
“Trump is targeting people going to work at Home Depot and 7-Eleven, ignoring gangs,” he added. “Trump is targeting people trying to follow the rules and go to a court hearing, ignoring those who commit real violence.”
“Donald Trump is undermining the rights that protect all of us, no matter who we are and where we come from,” said Casar.
'I don't call federal law enforcement officers Gestapo': Fallon targets Walz
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:09
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Pat Fallon of Texas, a Republican, like many members of the GOP have during the hearing, targeted Walz for his comments comparing ICE to the Gestapo.
“This is my definition of Gestapo, governor: Real Nazis from 1933 to 1945 that facilitated, participated in, the murder of millions. I don't call federal law enforcement officers Gestapo,” said Fallon.
“Governor, you're a big boy. Put your big boy pants on,” he added.
Walz called on ICE agents to “don't wear masks” and “identify who you are.”
Rep. Rashida Tlaib questions Hochul about Mahmoud Khalil
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:23
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Rashida Tlaib questioned Hochul about the detention of Mahmoud Khalil.
“Your constituent, Mahmoud Khalil, is still in ICE detention. Are you aware of him?” she asked.
“Very much so, and I'm hoping he's returned home on Friday,” said Hochul.
“He's a legal permanent resident. He was kidnapped over three months ago,” Tlaib noted.
Tlaib noted that Khalil’s son “was born while he was kidnapped and illegally detained by our country.”
Tlaib reads from statement submitted by Mahmoud Khalil
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:28
,
Alex Woodward
Rep. Tlaib just read from a sworn statement submitted by Mahmoud Khalil in his case, playing out in federal court, where he’s questioning the constitutionality of his arrest.
Read more:
Last night, the judge overseeing that case issued a preliminary injunction partially blocking the Trump administration from detaining and deporting him.
The judge issued a stay on that decision until tomorrow morning, giving the government time to appeal.
Khalil’s “career and reputation are being damaged and his speech is being chilled,” the judge wrote, and the government has “little or no interest in applying the relevant underlying statutes in what is likely an unconstitutional way.”
AOC calls out Republican for witness intimidation
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:35
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called out Rep. Gary Palmer for raising the prospect of charges against the governors, calling it “a form of intimidation.”
Palmer said, “Your sanctuary policies now constitute a threat to our national security.”
“You're in violation of federal law,” he added, calling for charges to be filed for “obstruction.”
“Charges ... for obstruction should be brought against each one of you for doing this,” said Palmer. “I'll leave that up to the Department of Justice.”
Rep. Jasmine Crockett says Trump admin is exploiting 'so-called' LA riots
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:42
,
Gustaf Kilander
Crockett says the admin is exploiting "so-called riots" in LA: "They want to say it's riots because they don't want people to talk about the Epstein files or whatever's poppin' off."
— David Weigel (@daveweigel) June 12, 2025
Gosar tells governors: 'I will see that you are held accountable'
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:46
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Paul Gosar told the governors that he would “work tirelessly with President Trump to secure the border, build the wall, stop the ... fatal fentanyl into our nation.”
He added: “And I will see that you are held accountable for ... crimes against the people of the United States. Our immigration system is not broken. We just needed somebody like Donald Trump to uphold the rule of law.”
WATCH: Republican threatens governors with charges
Thursday 12 June 2025 18:55
,
Gustaf Kilander
Palmer: Charges should be brought against each one of you
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025
AOC: Raising the prospect of charges against witnesses is a form of intimidation is it not?
Palmer: I strike those words pic.twitter.com/uXbu8HqeYO
Republican refers to 'Gulf of Mexico' instead of 'Gulf of America'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
Wisconsin Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman referred to the “Gulf of Mexico” even after Trump had designated it as the “Gulf of America.”
“The question is, when people come into this country and break those laws. Do you believe they should be enforced?” he asked. “Let's say people come into this country. You know, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, however they come here, should they be spun around and sent back out of the country, or should we just allow them to stay here?”
Perry questions governors on allegation Trump broke the law
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:07
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Scott Perry questioned the governors on allegations that Trump broke the law.
“Governor Pritzker, you said, I think, numerous times now, that the President broke the law. You're an attorney,” said Perry.
“So, just can you cite which laws ... he's broken?” he asked.
“Well, there have been congressionally approved appropriations that this President has cut off, and we've had to go to court — that's illegal,” said Pritzker.
'Is this North Korea?': Democrat outlines why she thinks Trump is a 'dictator'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:13
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Yassamin Ansari continually called Trump a “dictator” during her remarks.
“Mr. Perry just mocked us for referring to Donald Trump as a dictator. So let's, let's run through the list,” she said. “Donald Trump has since he was inaugurated pardoned violent January 6 insurrectionists — dictator.”
“Defied Supreme Court orders and attacked the judiciary — Dictator. Unilaterally abolished congressionally chartered federal agencies — dictator,” she added. “Attacked the free press. Sounds like a dictator.”
She said Trump “kidnapped people off of the streets and deported them to foreign prisons without due process. Sounds like a dictator.”
“Defunded higher education — Dictator. Threatened law firms and the legal profession — Dictator,” said Ansari.
“This weekend, he is spending tens of millions of dollars to host a massive military parade for his birthday. Is this North Korea?” she asked.
MTG calls for Hochul to be 'prosecuted' for murder of Laken Riley
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:22
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene argued that Hochul protected “monsters” with her “sanctuary” state policies.
She went through a number of violent crimes by undocumented immigrants.
Speaking about Laken Riley, Greene raised her voice, saying, "This little girl right here, she would be alive today, if you weren't such a treasonous governor supporting sanctuary laws in the state of New York, this little girl would be alive today, and her mother very much would like for her to be alive."
“The Department of Justice should prosecute you for her murder,” Greene added.
Burchett: 'Never compare anything dealing with the Holocaust, except for the Holocaust'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:33
,
Gustaf Kilander
Like many other Republicans, Rep. Tim Burchett called out Walz for comparing ICE to the Gestapo.
“I have a couple rules in my office, but one of them — just never compare anything dealing with the Holocaust, except for the Holocaust,” said Burchett. “I think that it desensitizes people about what really went on in Nazi Germany.”
Burchett says Padilla 'rushed the podium'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:43
,
Gustaf Kilander
Burchett commented on the detention of Sen. Alex Padilla after he attempted to ask a question at a press conference with the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
“Mr. Chairman, for the record, he rushed the podium. He was being disruptive, and that is not conducive to a senator,” he said.
Read more:
Nancy Mace calls Walz 'bigot' and 'misogynist'
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:48
,
Gustaf Kilander
In a lengthy back-and-forth with Walz, Rep. Nancy Mace ended her questioning with the question, “What is a woman?”
Walz said he wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say.
Raising her voice, Mace said, "I want you to say that a woman like me is an adult human female, that men can't become women. You guys are the party of violence, and you're the party erasing women. You don't respect us; you're a bigot. You're a misogynist, you're a sexist."
Hearing devolves into shouting match
Thursday 12 June 2025 19:58
,
Gustaf Kilander
The hearing devolved into a shouting match as Rep. Frost called for the subpoeaing of Sec. Noem.
Comer repeatedly told Frost to “shut up” and Rep. Greene called him a “former Antifa” member, however, she subsequently revised her remarks to say that he was arrested at a voting rights rally.
Hochul asks MTG if it's 'illegal' to be a Democrat
Thursday 12 June 2025 20:04
,
Gustaf Kilander
Greene said, “Governor Hochul, you stated that you're a proud, registered Democrat.”
“Yes, I did. Is that illegal now, too, in your country?” said Hochul.
Speaking about Laken Riley, Greene went on to accuse Hochul and the Democrats of giving “aid and comfort to monsters, especially one that was arrested in your state and let go because of your policies in your state.”
Luna attempts to connect LA protests
Thursday 12 June 2025 20:13
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna attempted to connect the protests in California to the Chinese Communist Party.
“I would like to take this opportunity to educate the American people on what's really happening right now with these riots,” she said. “So I see right now there's a lot of back and forth and finger pointing, but the fact is that there is a financial tie to these riots, tied to immigration, that actually leads right back to the Communist Chinese party.”
WATCH: Jim Jordan and Kathy Hochul get into heated back and forth during immigration hearing
Thursday 12 June 2025 20:30
,
Gustaf Kilander
Senator Padilla makes a statement after being forcibly removed from Noem press conference
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:00
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Tim Burchett commented on Padilla’s removal from the press briefing with Sec. Noem during the hearing, saying, “Mr. Chairman, for the record, he rushed the podium. He was being disruptive, and that is not conducive to a senator.”
House approves Trump’s request to cut funding for NPR, PBS and foreign aid
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:19
,
AP
The House narrowly voted Thursday to cut about $9.4 billion in spending already approved by Congress as President Donald Trump’s administration looks to follow through on work by the Department of Government Efficiency when it was overseen by Elon Musk.
The package targets foreign aid programs and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which provides money for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, as well as thousands of public radio and television stations around the country. The vote was 214-212.
Republicans are characterizing the spending as wasteful and unnecessary, but Democrats say the rescissions are hurting the United States’ standing in the world and will lead to needless deaths.
“Cruelty is the point,” Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York said of the proposed spending cuts.
Burlison calls on Walz to apologize for Gestapo comments
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:30
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Eric Burlison also called on Walz to apologize for comparing ICE to the Gestapo.
“What I said is using a historical reference on authoritarianism,” said Walz.
When asked if he would make the same comparison, Pritzker said: “It's not a word I would use, but I will say that I understand the sentiments that people feel.”
WATCH: Comer tells Frost to 'shut up'
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:35
,
Gustaf Kilander
It’s off the rails in Oversight
— Acyn (@Acyn) June 12, 2025
Comer tells Frost to shut up
Marjorie Taylor Greene accuses him of being a member of Antifa pic.twitter.com/E4VEGaYQUi
Crane asks Walz how he did with 'white guys' in the 2024 election
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:35
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Eli Crane asked Walz how he performed with “white guys” in the 2024 election.
“You lost by 22 points to white guys, and it's because you talk like the way you do, you say the things you do, and you have this radical left wing ideology,” said Crane. “So if you want to continue that rhetoric, go on, brother, keep doing it. We'll keep destroying you in elections.”
“The people of Minnesota will continue to have me serve them,” Walz responded.
'I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator'
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:39
,
Gustaf Kilander
Commenting on the brief arrest of Sen. Padilla, Pritzker said, “I want to say to all of you, all of you on both sides, but particularly those on the Republican side, that I cannot believe the disrespect that was shown to a United States senator who was thrown down, handcuffed and not allowed to ask a question of our Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem.”
“That seems completely irrational,” he said.
Goldman calls out 'authoritarian, lawless behavior'
Thursday 12 June 2025 21:43
,
Gustaf Kilander
Rep. Goldman called on Republicans to “take a breath “before you once again desperately run to bend the knee to Donald Trump.”
He added that “anyone with two eyes that can see can see that that was authoritarian, lawless behavior that no person in America, much less a senator conducting constitutional oversight, should have received,” about the brief arrest of Sen. Padilla.
“I know it's hard for all of you to speak u