Attorneys general express concerns about Trump’s policies

Five Democratic attorneys general held a community hearing in St. Paul, Minnesota, to address concerns over immigration and LGBTQ+ issues, particularly regarding President Donald Trump's actions. The attorneys general present were Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Letitia James of New York, Kris Mayes of Arizona, Matt Platkin of New Jersey, and Kwame Raoul of Illinois. Ellison criticized Trump's executive orders aimed at undermining the Department of Education and other institutions. He stressed that Congress should be involved in important decisions. Mayes echoed this sentiment, stating that reform should happen through lawful processes rather than executive actions. Mayor Melvin Carter of St. Paul spoke about how Trump's immigration policies have affected local communities. He noted that many immigrants feel scared to seek help due to fear of deportation. James shared similar concerns, highlighting the anxiety many families in her Brooklyn district experience. The attorneys general also listened to concerns from the transgender community regarding access to gender-affirming care. Minnesota has enacted protective laws, such as banning conversion therapy and expanding discrimination protections, making some residents feel fortunate to live in the state. Ellison expressed worry about the Trump administration's treatment of the press, criticizing legal actions against media outlets. He mentioned layoffs of federal workers and the uncertainty caused by these job losses, noting that a judge had ruled that affected workers needed to be rehired. He encouraged those impacted in Minnesota to reach out for assistance.