Nearly 200 Democratic officials across various levels of state and local government have signed a joint statement opposing what they describe as the Trump administration’s use of the Justice Department to target political opponents. The coalition, which includes city council members, county commissioners, state legislators, school board members, and mayors, has expressed concern over recent actions against officials who challenge the president’s immigration policies.
According to MSNBC, the movement comes in response to recent events involving Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and New Jersey Representative LaMonica McIver, who faced charges after visiting a migrant detention center in Newark. While a judge has since dismissed the trespassing charge against Baraka, McIver continues to contest the DOJ’s assault allegations, maintaining her innocence.
“We will not be silenced or deterred by the Trump administration’s attacks on our rights as elected officials,” the statement declares, emphasizing that their primary allegiance lies with their constituents rather than the presidential administration. The document, coordinated by progressive groups Working Families Power, SiX Action, and Local Progress, represents a unified stance against what they perceive as intimidation tactics.
Growing concerns over the political targeting of local officials
The statement highlights a pattern of actions against Democratic officials, including Trump’s border czar Tom Homan’s suggestions of criminal punishment for those who oppose the president’s deportation agenda or assist immigrant communities. Additionally, Tennessee Representative Andy Ogles has launched an investigation into Nashville’s mayor over unsubstantiated claims of aiding illegal immigration.
Recent cases have also emerged involving Milwaukee Judge Hannah Dugan and Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, whom the officials claim have been targeted by the Trump administration. These incidents are viewed as part of a broader campaign against local officials performing their duties.
The coalition points to several examples of conservative efforts to remove officials from their positions, including Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s removal of elected prosecutors and the temporary expulsion of Black Tennessee state Representatives Justin Jones and Justin Pearson in 2023. These actions, while later reversed in some cases, are cited as evidence of increasing pressure on Democratic officials.
The statement represents a significant pushback against what these officials view as federal overreach and political intimidation. With 192 signatures from across the country, it demonstrates a coordinated effort to maintain local governmental autonomy and resist what they perceive as threats to democratic processes at the state and local levels.
Published: May 28, 2025 02:32 pm