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This week on At Our Table, I sat down with Representative Robert Garcia of California for an honest conversation about what leadership actually demands in a moment like this one.
Early on, Rep. Garcia talked about something we don’t hear enough from people in power: doubt.
“You come into Congress, and you have a lot of the imposter syndrome. I’ve had that my whole life, and I think that’s okay. I think that brings a level of humility to the job.”
That humility matters, especially in a Congress filled with people who have never questioned whether they belong.
As the conversation deepened, Rep. Garcia kept coming back to a simple idea: you can fight hard without losing your humanity.
“I’m going to fight for what I believe in, but I consider myself a pretty nice person.”
That’s not being soft. That’s showing discipline. It’s a reminder that anger doesn’t have to turn into cruelty to be effective.
We talked a lot about the U.S. House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and what it means to actually hold power accountable instead of just performing outrage. He was blunt about the stakes.
“If no one knows what we’re doing, it’s not working.”
As he explained, the work has to be guided by “truth and justice,” not headlines.
That clarity matters most when lives are on the line. When we turned to ICE and what we’re seeing in Minnesota and around the country, Rep. Garcia didn’t sugarcoat it.
“There’s been over 170 U.S. citizens detained by ICE—many of whom are veterans… What are we doing?”
His frustration was obvious—not just about policy failures, but about what happens when enforcement operates without accountability. In his words, ICE has become “a rogue agency,” empowered to act without transparency, leaving families and communities to absorb the damage.
This episode isn’t about scoring points. It’s about what kind of leaders we need when anger is justified, fear is real, and accountability feels optional.
Leadership isn’t about how loudly you express your anger. It’s about whether you can carry it without letting it turn you into someone you don’t recognize.
I hope you’ll listen.
—Jaime
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