Believe your eyes and act accordingly.
Horrifically, Alex Pretti was shot to death by federal agents carrying out immigration enforcement in Minnesota – a state that does not rank in the top 10 for undocumented immigrants.
When Donald Trump says the federal government – especially the DOJ and FBI – has been “weaponized,” it’s worth paying attention. And I ask: Why Minnesota instead of California, Texas or Florida, the states with the largest unauthorized immigrant populations?
Maybe this is why: On Jan. 24, Attorney General Pam Bondi urged Gov. Tim Walz to give the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division access to Minnesota’s voter registration rolls to “confirm” compliance with federal law. Yet there has been no allegation of widespread illegal voting in Minnesota – no claims, no evidence of fraud.
At some point, it’s worth trusting our own eyes and the facts. What’s happening in Minnesota and what the federal government says it’s about don’t add up. This doesn’t look like it’s about crime or immigration. It looks like power – and where the federal government chooses to aim it.
For years, I’ve asked what more I can do beyond voting in presidential elections. Then I remembered something close to home: Tina Peters, the Mesa County Clerk, was convicted of election tampering and sentenced to nine years. Trump called for her pardon – of course he did.
What matters? Local elections, and holding Congress accountable to the people, not the president. Constitutionally, Congress answers to us. That means educating ourselves – and voting. Municipal elections are in April, primaries in June and local general elections in November.
Catherine Boyle
Durango
