Latest news with #LauraFriedman
The Independent
07-07-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Democratic voters are demanding reps fight dirty against Trump and MAGA: ‘There needs to be blood'
Democratic voters are fed up with their representatives taking the moral high ground against President Donald Trump and the GOP, with some reportedly suggesting they should be willing to 'get shot' in order to oppose the administration. "Our own base is telling us that what we're doing is not good enough... [that] there needs to be blood to grab the attention of the press and the public," one anonymous Democrat told Axios. The outlet spoke to more than two dozen House Democrats, many of whom said their constituents had demanded extreme measures and even violence in order to exact change. "Some of them have suggested ... what we really need to do is be willing to get shot" when visiting ICE facilities or other federal agencies, another lawmaker told Axios. A third said that "people online have sent me crazy s*** ... told me to storm the White House and stuff like that." However, they added "there's always people on the internet saying crazy stuff." The reports come after months of frustration from Democratic lawmakers themselves and after being told to 'fight harder' by voters who may misunderstand the lack of legislative weight maintained by the minority party. Instances of liberal outrage at town hall meetings, including one hosted by California Rep. Laura Friedman in April, have become more common – with voters outraged by an apparent lack of progress or effort from their representatives. As a result, suggestions have become more and more severe. "What I have seen is a demand that we get ourselves arrested intentionally or allow ourselves to be victims of violence, and ... a lot of times that's coming from economically very secure white people," another anonymous Democrat told Axios. The same representative added that such extreme action would be a 'gift' to Trump and also make the job of Republicans easier if Democratic lawmakers were in legal trouble. "[We are] a group that is disproportionately people of color, women, LGBTQ people — people who do not fare very well in prison,' they said.
Newsweek
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
House Democrats Move to Ban ICE Agents From Wearing Masks
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Democratic lawmakers are pushing forward to advance legislation that would prohibit federal agents from wearing face masks or coverings during immigration enforcement operations. The No Anonymity in Immigration Enforcement Act would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents conducting enforcement operations within the United States to display clear identification, with limited exceptions for public safety threats. "The images we've seen of masked, anonymous people grabbing residents off the street in broad daylight don't make our communities safer," California Democratic Representative Laura Friedman told Newsweek in a statement. Why It Matters ICE has been facing growing scrutiny under the Trump administration for allowing its agents to carry out targeted enforcement operations in plain clothes and face coverings. ICE officials argue that the masks are crucial to protect the identities of agents and their families from death threats. The agency has been thrust into the national spotlight as President Donald Trump directs his administration to remove millions of migrants without legal status as part of a hardline mass deportation policy. Federal agents detain a man after attending a court hearing at immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on July 01, 2025 in New York City. S Federal agents detain a man after attending a court hearing at immigration court at the Jacob K. Javitz Federal Building on July 01, 2025 in New York City. S Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images What To Know Under the bill, agents would be required to wear clothing that clearly displays their name and shows that they are affiliated with ICE. The legislation allows exceptions only in specific situations, such as when an agent faces an imminent threat to life or "serious bodily harm", or when protective gear is needed for safety or medical reasons. When an exception is used, a supervisor must review and document it within 48 hours to determine if it was appropriate and take disciplinary action if it was not. The Department of Homeland Security would be responsible for setting up procedures to ensure compliance, including possible disciplinary measures for violations and a process to accept and review complaints through its Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties. DHS would also be required to submit an annual report to Congress detailing any disciplinary actions and complaints received related to anonymous agents. The bill defines what counts as a facial covering, what activities qualify as an enforcement operation, and clarifies that the requirements apply throughout the United States and its territories. The law would take effect 30 days after it is enacted. "They make Americans and hardworking members of our community who've lived here for decades afraid to go to work, to school, to the doctor, to the park," Friedman said. "This legislation is about restoring accountability to immigration enforcement. In a democracy, law enforcement should protect the public — not terrorize it," she added. The legislation is being sponsored by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, who introduced it on June 12, 2025, with a number of other House Democrats signed on as cosponsors. What People Are Saying Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told CBS: "It's for the safety of those individuals or the work that they're doing as far as protecting their identity so they can continue to do investigative work." John Sandweg, who served as acting director of ICE under former President Barack Obama previously told Newsweek: "If you're getting arrested by an officer or agent in a mask, especially if at that point they've not yet identified themselves as a federal officer, it creates a risk of bystanders thinking, rushing in to help, which could create the risk of violence or harm caused to the bystanders." What Happens Next As it stands, the legislation is unlikely to pass in the Republican-controlled Congress.
Miami Herald
27-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Trump administration restores funds for HIV prevention following outcry
The Trump administration has lifted a freeze on federal funds for HIV prevention and surveillance programs, officials said, following an outcry from HIV prevention organizations, health experts and Democrats in Congress. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health received notice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday that it had been awarded nearly $20 million for HIV prevention for the 12-month period that began June 1 - an increase of $338,019 from the previous year. "Let's be clear - the Trump administration's move to freeze HIV prevention funding was reckless, illegal and put lives at risk," said Rep. Laura Friedman, D-Glendale, in a statement. "I'm relieved the CDC finally did the right thing - but this never should have happened." The CDC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Friedman and other advocates for HIV prevention funding sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month, warning that proposed cuts to these programs would reverse years of progress combating the disease and cause spikes in new cases - especially in California and among the LGBTQ+ community. The letter cited estimates from the Foundation for AIDS Research, known as amfAR, suggesting the cuts could lead to 143,000 additional HIV infections nationwide and 127,000 additional deaths from AIDS-related causes within five years. Los Angeles County, which stood to lose nearly $20 million in annual federal HIV prevention funding, was looking at terminating contracts with 39 providers. Experts said the dissolution of that network could result in as many as 650 new cases per year - pushing the total number of new infections per year in the county to roughly 2,000. "Public Health is grateful for the support and advocacy from the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Congressional delegation, and all of our community based providers in pushing CDC to restore this Congressionally approved funding," a spokeswoman for the county's health department said. "Looking forward, it is important to note that the President's FY26 budget proposes to eliminate this funding entirely, and we urge our federal partners to support this critical lifesaving funding," she said. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
Los Angeles Times
27-06-2025
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Trump administration restores funds for HIV prevention following outcry
The Trump administration has lifted a freeze on federal funds for HIV prevention and surveillance programs, officials said, following an outcry from HIV prevention organizations, health experts and Democrats in Congress. The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health received notice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday that it had been awarded nearly $20 million for HIV prevention for the 12-month period that began June 1 — an increase of $338,019 from the previous year. 'Let's be clear — the Trump administration's move to freeze HIV prevention funding was reckless, illegal and put lives at risk,' said Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) in a statement. 'I'm relieved the CDC finally did the right thing — but this never should have happened.' The CDC didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Friedman and other advocates for HIV prevention funding sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. last month, warning that proposed cuts to these programs would reverse years of progress combating the disease and cause spikes in new cases — especially in California and among the LGBTQ+ community. The letter cited estimates from the Foundation for AIDS Research, known as amfAR, suggesting the cuts could lead to 143,000 additional HIV infections nationwide and 127,000 additional deaths from AIDS-related causes within five years. Los Angeles County, which stood to lose nearly $20 million in annual federal HIV prevention funding, was looking at terminating contracts with 39 providers. Experts said the dissolution of that network could result in as many as 650 new cases per year — pushing the total number of new infections per year in the county to roughly 2,000. 'Public Health is grateful for the support and advocacy from the Board of Supervisors, the Los Angeles County Congressional delegation, and all of our community based providers in pushing CDC to restore this Congressionally approved funding,' a spokeswoman for the county's health department said. 'Looking forward, it is important to note that the President's FY26 budget proposes to eliminate this funding entirely, and we urge our federal partners to support this critical lifesaving funding,' she said.
CNN
10-06-2025
- Politics
- CNN
CA lawmaker calls Trump's remark about LA protests ‘shocking'
President Donald Trump credited himself and his administration for deploying the National Guard to address the violence that erupted during immigration protests in Los Angeles. Democratic Congresswoman Laura Friedman, who represents parts of the city, called his remarks 'shocking.'
