Dear John,

This week, President Trump targeted Minnesota’s Somali community. His decision to send ICE into our communities – even targeting those with Temporary Protected Status (TPS) – accomplishes nothing but incite fear and make us all less safe. Instead of improving the lives of Minnesotans, President Trump is yet again using legal immigrants as political pawns and distracting the American people from the real danger to this country: his extreme policies. It’s cruel, it’s vile and it’s just plain racist.

Our Somali community is here to stay. Somali immigrants make invaluable contributions to our state. They’re your local and federal elected officials, the folks getting you where you need to go, entrepreneurs starting local businesses, the caretakers tending to your loved ones and above all – they are your neighbors. In Minnesota, we look out for our neighbors. 

During a Cabinet meeting this week – President Trump called Rep. Ilhan Omar, my colleague in the Minnesota Delegation, “garbage.”  

Our country continues to see a rise in political violence, and rhetoric like his is exactly why. After the horrific attacks on Melissa and Mark Hortman and the Hoffman family this summer, it’s unfathomable that the President of our country would continue to place targets on the backs of those he disagrees with. We need to turn down the political temperature, and we need to do it now.

America is a nation of immigrants. Our diversity is what makes us great. President Trump wants us to think we need to choose between national security and supporting our immigrant neighbors. But in Minnesota, we know we can do both. And no matter how hard he tries – President Trump can’t change that.  

I know, and you know, that this hateful rhetoric runs counter to the values Minnesota stands for. And no matter how much President Trump tries to divide us, we will continue to stand up to hatred and take care of one another.

Here's what else I've been up to this week:

Protecting Minnesota’s hemp industry 

Everyone from veterans to hockey moms use hemp-infused products, and (despite what my Republican colleagues think) it's not the federal government’s place to get involved. 

I’m supporting the family farmers who grow hemp, the small businesses that process it and the Minnesota brewers who produce and sell safe, regulated products. 

This week, I wrote an opinion piece in MinnPost about why we need to reverse the hemp ban. You can read my article here.  

Fighting large corporations price gouging the middle class  

Minnesotans are already struggling with high prices on everything from gas to groceries. The middle class can’t afford to foot the bill for the President’s reckless trade policies. 

This week, I introduced a bill with Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that protects consumers and prevents companies from using tariffs as an excuse to price gouge Americans. 

You can read more about our bill here.
 

Working with local leaders to protect Minnesotans 

This week, I met with ELCA Presiding Bishop Yehiel Curry. 

This Administration's cruelty knows no bounds, and as they continue to target immigrants, cut food assistance and attack Minnesota’s most vulnerable communities – I'm working with local and national leaders to make sure no Minnesotan is left behind.

Fighting the opioid crisis 

This week, my RECONNECTIONS Act officially became law. 

This law will help get overdose prevention tools into the hands of folks who need them most and enable us to tackle the fentanyl epidemic like the public health crisis it is. 

This law will help millions of Americans, and I’m honored to have seen it through.  

Behind the scenes: 

While it might be snowing in Minnesota, this week was particularly rainy in Washington. Dakota splits her time between Washington and Minnesota, but she’s still Minnesota tough. She doesn’t mind a walk in the rain, snow or whatever else comes her way. You know what they say – there's no bad weather, only bad gear...  

Until next time,
 

Angie Craig

Member of Congress