The Path Forward: A Letter to My Constituents

"A little patience, and we shall see the reign of witches pass over, their spells dissolve, and the people, recovering their true sight, restore their government to its true principles." — Thomas Jefferson, Letter to John Taylor, 1798

Dear Neighbor:

Just 12 days ago, America swore in a new president whom we have gotten to know over the years.

Now, as we observe Donald Trump’s opening gambit to “flood the zone” with his sweeping attacks on the rule of law and federal workers, I’m hearing from hundreds of constituents about how the administration’s “shock and awe” tactics are spreading pain, fear and chaos in their lives and families.

What we’ve seen already from Trump and his enablers is an appalling outrage and scandal. It will not stand.

I took an oath of my own in January to uphold and defend the Constitution as I represent the people of Maryland’s Eighth District. I am completely committed to defending you and your family against any and all lawless action along with rising authoritarianism and corruption.

The anti-authoritarian forces in our country have tremendous constitutional, legal, political, ethical and moral resources at our disposal to defend American democracy and freedom, and we will continue to mobilize them and deploy them strategically and nimbly in the days ahead.

I want to take this opportunity to share a new webpage on my official congressional website dedicated to supporting my constituents in MD-08. We will keep this page updated with the most current information and resources available for opposing authoritarian maneuvers.

Here are some letters and statements I have made in my capacity as Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee opposing the sinister assaults on the Department of Justice and the rule of law.

Addressing President Trump’s Proposed Federal Funding Freeze 

You probably heard that President Trump’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB) tried to impose a complete freeze on all federal grants, threatening billions of dollars in everything from Head Start and Meals on Wheels to local police departments and Medicaid. Although a Ronald Reagan-nominated federal judge blocked the freeze with an injunction on Tuesday and the Trump Administration rescinded the OMB memo on Wednesday, the president’s press secretary reiterated that the White House is still determined to block all appropriated federal spending that it opposes.

What a fraud. The unilateral freeze on federal spending is an outrageous violation of Congress’ power of the purse found in Article I. An appropriations act is a law like any other and it has all the force of law, which is why Trump cannot unilaterally impose a line-item veto—that’s unconstitutional. Withholding federal funding would prevent state and local governments and non-profit organizations from delivering key services and projects that the American people depend on, and I will continue to fight to stop this travesty of law. 

As you may know, federal grants make health care, food assistance, disaster relief and more possible.

President Trump has also separately frozen foreign aid and humanitarian assistance funding, a decision that is inflicting intense suffering on the world’s most vulnerable populations, including malnourished children and people living with HIV/AIDS. 

Full stop: this lawless and reckless decision threatens immediate, widespread harm and is plainly unconstitutional.

Supporting Federal Workers 

Marylanders are rightly appalled, scared and angered by President Trump’s escalating attacks on the independent professional civil service. Our District is home to a significant part of the regional federal workforce, with recent data demonstrating that nearly 60,000 federal employees live in our community, many working at NIH, NOAA, NIST, the DOD, the FDA and other agencies. I am hearing every day from federal workers who have already been harmed by Trump’s reckless actions. Our federal workers are among the most educated, skilled, and resourceful workers in the world, but President Trump’s new executive orders would destroy the merit-based civil service and replace the expertise and patriotism of career public servants with the sycophancy and corruption of political toadies. I stand strong with federal workers in our district and across America and will defend the integrity of the civil service with everything I have. 

Protecting Immigrant Communities 

President Trump has also begun his term pursuing mass deportation and border security crackdowns. I want immigrant families across the Eighth District, Maryland and America to know that you are valued members of our community, and Executive Orders mandating policies like the attempted abolition of birthright citizenship violate fundamental American values—and according to a new order from a federal judge, our Constitution. Additionally, the Montgomery County Gilchrist Immigrant Resource Center has helpful, multilingual “Know Your Rights” information that can guide you and your loved ones in your interactions with immigration law enforcement.

Standing By LGBTQIA+ Americans 

I have also heard from countless LGBTQIA+ Americans and their families and loved ones about Trump’s multiple new hostile executive actions that threaten their freedom and their equal rights—particularly with respect to our transgender friends and neighbors. From the recent anti-trans executive order to the revived ban on transgender Americans serving in the military, President Trump is waging a vicious attack on the LGBTQIA+ community. Now is the time for all allies to stand in strong defense of all our neighbors. 

I know people are experiencing a welter of emotions right now, including fear and despair, but solidarity will be the watchword of our times. I am committed to standing in the breach to defend our people and our constitutional order against every single one of these lawless rampages. I am cheered by the strength of our partners in state and local government who work to defend the common good and the rights of the people. 

We’ll get through this together, my friends. Hang tough and stay close. 

With solidarity and affection,

Jamie Raskin