Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes of Connecticut got here ahead throughout a city corridor Thursday night time to confess the apparent: She made a mistake backing President Donald Trump’s draconian immigration agenda.
She instructed CNN that she regrets voting for the GOP-led Laken Riley Act, which mandates the detention of undocumented immigrants accused of sure crimes. The invoice handed the Home in January with assist from all Republicans and 48 Democrats—together with Hayes.
“As I’ve thought about it over the past couple of months, I probably would have voted differently. It’s a vote that I regret,” she mentioned.
Hayes mentioned that she was initially swayed by a slender provision stating that ICE may detain somebody if their actions “caused injury or death to a police officer.” However that was simply “one small piece” of a wider—and far more harmful—regulation, she mentioned.
She additionally admitted that she was below the phantasm that the Trump administration “wanted to work with Democrats” on immigration, which is tough to sq. with Trump’s lengthy historical past of dehumanizing immigrants. Throughout a marketing campaign rally in Colorado this previous yr, Trump known as immigrants the “most violent people on earth” and “blood-thirsty criminals.”
However now, Hayes mentioned, actuality has hit her.
“I’ve seen the rhetoric that has come out and the attacks that have been targeted toward immigrants. So I am very cautious and careful when I am negotiating my votes moving forward,” she mentioned.
In January, Trump signed into regulation the Laken Riley Act, which was named after a Georgia nursing scholar who was killed by a Venezuelan man who crossed the border illegally. The regulation permits federal authorities to detain undocumented immigrants not only for violent crimes however for any case of theft or comparable minor offense.
Hayes’ mea culpa could also be aimed toward voters, particularly on condition that the city corridor featured different members in powerful districts, like Republican Reps. Mike Lawler of New York and Ryan Mackenzie of Pennsylvania and Democratic Rep. Derek Tran of California.
However in Hayes’ case, the political stakes aren’t fairly as excessive. Sure, there’s proof that voters have pivoted to the appropriate on immigration, however her district is listed as “Likely Democratic” by the nonpartisan Prepare dinner Political Report.
After all, not each Democrat who backed the invoice is backtracking. “I did vote with my Republican colleagues on the Laken Riley Act because I draw a line when it comes to crime. I believe that when you commit a crime, you should be deported,” Tran mentioned.
Nonetheless, Hayes isn’t the one Democrat feeling purchaser’s regret.
In February, Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey mentioned that he regretted voting to verify Homeland Safety Secretary Kristi Noem, who has repeatedly demonstrated her incompetence. And Sen. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut expressed remorse over voting to verify Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.
Hindsight is 20/20, however the sample is evident: Trump’s second time period has been a nonstop marketing campaign of cruelty—concentrating on immigrants, federal companies, and democracy. And a few Democrats have been complicit by voting for his Cupboard picks, backing his payments, and giving legitimacy to an agenda their voters overwhelmingly oppose.
Hayes’ remorse could also be too little, too late. However it’s additionally an indication that Democrats are lastly recognizing what their base has recognized all alongside: You may’t meet Trump midway. You need to arise and battle again.
