Tone down the rhetoric before people get hurt or killed

Heated language heightens tensions, and justifies harassment, intimidation, and violence

This is Assistant House Republican Leader Katrina Smith with the Weekly Republican Address

Maine has always handled disagreement differently. We argue hard, yes — but we don’t tear each other apart, and we don’t allow political disagreement to turn into violence. That matters right now.

Across the country, we’ve seen protests spiral out of control. In places like Minnesota, demonstrations that began as political expression ended in chaos — officers attacked, property destroyed, and communities left dealing with the consequences. That is not who we are in Maine, and it is not what we are going to allow here.

Words matter — especially when they come from leaders.

Recently, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows described ICE’s actions as “lawless tactics,” and said certain enforcement methods amount to “kidnapping, not law enforcement.” Governor Janet Mills, in a public address, contrasted those actions by saying Maine officers “don’t wear a mask to shield their identities.”

Those statements may be intended as criticism of policy. But to many people — especially in a tense national climate — they sound like something else: a message that federal law enforcement officers are not legitimate, not professional, and not worthy of respect.

Let me be very clear: ICE agents are federal law enforcement officers. They take an oath. They operate under federal authority. And they show up to work knowing that rhetoric alone can make them a target. You can oppose immigration policy without turning the people enforcing the law into enemies.

I also want to say something directly to people who feel like their voices are being ignored. There are very real, legitimate concerns about illegal immigration, about strain on housing, schools, health care, and public safety.

And I know you feel those concerns are dismissed, minimized, or treated as morally suspect instead of being debated honestly.  We hear you and we pledge to be your voice.

When people feel unheard, frustration grows. And when frustration grows, rhetoric hardens. That is a dangerous path — for protesters, for law enforcement, and for our communities.

We can protect the right to peaceful protest.

We can demand accountability and transparency.

And we can support law enforcement officers doing their duty — all at the same time.

What we cannot do is allow heated language to inflame fear or justify harassment, intimidation, or violence — whether against federal agents or against those exercising their First Amendment rights.

That is why today we are calling for an immediate meeting with Governor Janet Mills.  

We need to sit down together and talk — not past each other — about how Maine moves forward.

-How we support law enforcement,

-how we protect peaceful protest, and

-how we ensure that no one is harmed because rhetoric was allowed to spiral out of control.

Leadership means lowering the temperature, not raising it. And Maine deserves nothing less.

This has been Rep. Katrina Smith with the Weekly Republican Address.

Thank you for listening — and thank you for helping us change Maine for the better.

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LETTER TO GOVERNOR MILLS TO LOWER TENSIONS

Representative Katrina Smith of Palermo is the Assistant House Republican Leader. She is currently serving her second term in the Maine House representing District 62, which includes the towns of Windsor, China, Hibberts Gore Township, Somerville, and Palermo.  In the 131st Legislature, Katrina on the Joint Standing Committee on Innovation, Development, Economic Advancement, and Business. Katrina earned her B.A. from Gordon College, and has spent her career as a realtor and investor. She is a member of the Maine Association of Realtors, Gun Owners of Maine, and the National Rifle Association.  Representative Smith and her husband, Mike, have five children together.