Dear neighbor,

This week, I voted no on the Department of Homeland Security funding bill, which would provide additional funding to ICE.

To put it plainly: ICE is out of control.

I was in Minnesota last week and heard directly from local law enforcement, nonprofit organizations, and Americans who had first-hand experience with ICE’s brutal actions. ICE is engaging in what appear to be clear violations of federal law, and local law enforcement officers agree – they’re holding press conferences, issuing statements, and doing interviews publicly calling out ICE’s misconduct. This is unprecedented.

That’s why I voted no. I will not support the use of taxpayer dollars to harass and intimidate people looking out for their neighbors and exercising their First Amendment rights.

For more of my thoughts on this, here’s this week’s press conference highlights:

This week also marked one year into President Trump’s second term. In that time, America has become more expensive and people are worse off now than they were a year ago.

While costs rise for Americans, Trump is focused on taking over Greenland. He even threatened to impose more random tariffs on our allies if he doesn’t get his way with Greenland. These tariffs would hurt Americans more because 96% of tariffs’ costs are passed on to American consumers.

These policies are just dumb. We should be working together to lower costs, not taking over Greenland, not running Venezuela, and not mass racial profiling and violating the rights of Americans.

I will continue to speak up and demand better for all Americans. That’s why when Jack Smith came to testify in front of the Judiciary Committee this week, I called out Republicans for damaging the rule of law, refusing to release the entirety of the Epstein files, and weaponizing the Department of Justice to pursue political retribution.

You can watch my part of the Jack Smith hearing below:

OVERDOSE PREVENTION: LA County has a new evidence-based effort to address the overdose crisis. Learn more and take the first step in healing here.

If you have issues with a federal agency, my LA office may be able to help at (323) 651-1040, or you can visit our federal assistance webpage here.

I look forward to updating you again soon.

Warmly,

Ted