When I was a toddler, my parents marched down Fifth Avenue to protest the Vietnam War. I was perched high on my father's shoulders above the thousands of Americans who demanded their government listen to the people and follow the rule of law.
Now thousands are taking to the streets again, this time protesting the illegal actions of our government, not overseas, but right here in our country.
They’re demanding accountability and justice after the shooting death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent last Wednesday in Minneapolis. Her killing is atrocious and the Trump administration's efforts to characterize this mother of three as a “domestic terrorist” are offensive and absurd.
The insulting backdrop: Trump is trying to shift the narrative by siccing the DOJ on Fed Chair Jerome Powell. MAGA leaders are skilled architects of distraction.
We know who’s to blame for Good’s death. Trump and his rhetoric have created a jackboot culture in which tragedies like this are inevitable.
Protesters are mobilizing in justifiable anger. And, like them, I want accountability and justice. But as Dr. King taught us, to be truly effective, any protest movement must be tied to results.
So, here’s what I’m calling upon Congress to do:
Pass legislation to strengthen the independence of the DOJ, FBI, Homeland Security, and the Fed.
Pass laws to penalize any president — but especially this one — for using these agencies like a gestapo for his personal retaliation.
Set up truth and transparency hearings for administrators of agencies like ICE, DOJ, and the FBI that break the law–despite being ordered to do so by Trump.
The current Congress has abdicated its power. But I will bring my experience in the courtroom, classroom, and newsroom to Capitol Hill to take the kind of action required to protect Americans and the law.
