NEWS
Democratic lawmakers come to Walz’s defense after DOJ subpoena
By Sarah Davis, The Hill
“Minnesota Reps. Betty McCollum (D) and Angie Craig (D) also expressed their support for the governor, taking a swing at the Trump administration’s actions.
McCollum wrote online that the country ‘deserves justice’ and ‘not President Trump’s use of DOJ as a weapon against his perceived enemies.’”
Congressional Democrats hold field hearing on ICE actions in Minnesota
By Mary Murphy, Forum News Service via Pioneer Press
“Minnesota’s two U.S. senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, both Democrats, also attended as well as U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, DFL-St. Paul. No Republican lawmakers were there.”
Democrats condemn ‘trauma and terror’ of Trump’s ICE surge in Minnesota
By Richard Luscombe, The Guardian
“The Minnesota congresswoman Betty McCollum condemned ‘Trump’s abuse of power’.
‘High school students have been thrown to the ground and pepper-sprayed on their own school grounds, and it’s happening right here, right now,’ she said.
‘The actions of these agents, which are totally unprofessional and illegal, create great harm and fear. Secretary Noem, you better be preserving your documents unaltered, because you are going to be held to testify and you will be subpoenaed.’”
Hot Dish: Trump threatens to send in the troops
By Nathaniel Minor, The Minnesota Star Tribune
“‘The President’s dangerous threat to invoke the Insurrection Act is an escalation at a time when Minnesotans are asking President Trump to stop the chaos caused by federal agents,’ Rep. Betty McCollum said in a statement.”
Judge puts limits on federal agents in Minnesota, as protests cool with the weather
By Amanda Musa, Holly Yan, Taylor Romine, and Karina Tsui, CNN
“‘Minnesotans are being racially profiled on a mass level,’ said Rep. Betty McCollum, a Minnesota Democrat. ‘They are being kidnapped from our communities. Parents are seized in front of their children by masked federal agents.’”
Minneapolis ICE shootings: Trump threatens to institute Insurrection Act
By FOX 9
“Reactions to Trump's threats to invoke Insurrection Act
Dig deeper: U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minnesota) released the following statement after President Trump threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act:
‘I totally reject President Trump’s threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minnesota. This would allow the President to deploy the U.S. military into our state. The President’s dangerous threat to invoke the Insurrection Act is an escalation at a time when Minnesotans are asking President Trump to stop the chaos caused by federal agents.
‘Minnesotans are protesting peacefully, speaking out, and documenting the violence being carried out by masked, unprofessional, poorly trained ICE and DHS agents against residents of our state.
‘I call upon all Republican elected officials in the state of Minnesota and across the country to condemn President Trump’s reckless threats against our citizens.
‘Democracy can be fragile at times. That’s why we all have a duty as Minnesotans and as Americans to continue to speak out to defend the civil rights of all, document ICE and DHS agents’ brutality against our neighbors, protect the rule of law, and preserve our democracy today and for future generations.’”
morning take | The Chasm of More Chaos, Less Calm
By Blois Olson, morning take
“NOEM: Reps. Angie Craig, Betty McCollum and Ilhan Omar are co-sponsors of newly introduced Articles of Impeachment against Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem, accusing her of obstruction of Congress, violation of public trust and self-dealing. Rep. Kelly Morrison is not a listed co-sponsor, but she said in a press release that she also supports the effort, as seen in yesterday’s lunch take. None of Minnesota’s Republicans signed on.”
Capitol View for Jan. 15
By Dana Ferguson and Peter Cox, MPR News
“All four Democrats representing Minnesota in the U.S. House of Representatives have joined a call to impeach Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Reps. Angie Craig, Betty McCollum, Kelly Morrison and Ilhan Omar are among 70 lawmakers who have signed on to articles of impeachment introduced Wednesday by Illinois Democratic Rep. Robin Kelly. The effort is likely to stall out in the Republican-led house, though it has garnered significantly more party support than other recent efforts to impeach cabinet members. Democrats would need three Republicans to cross the aisle for it to succeed. In a statement to multiple outlets, DHS called the move silly and said its work is protecting Americans.”
Kristi Noem Impeachment Moves Forward: Full List of Sponsors
By Andrew Stanton, Newsweek
“5. Betty McCollum (MN-04)”
Effort to impeach Kristi Noem backed by Minnesota lawmakers
By Nick Longworth, FOX 9
“‘Secretary Noem should be fired. If she is not, I support impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate for her obstruction of Congress and violation of public trust,’ said Rep. McCollum in a statement. ‘This past year, Americans in cities across the United States have felt the chaos and terror of Secretary Noem’s Department of Homeland Security and ICE. Secretary Noem has demonstrated that she is unable to enforce immigration law in a peaceful and ethical manner. Her deployment of unprofessional, poorly trained, masked immigration agents has put our neighbors in danger of physical harm.’”
Possible Woodbury ICE detention center draws Washington County Board crowd, condemnation
By Mary Divine, Pioneer Press
“On Monday, U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding that DHS and ICE immediately cease all operations in Minnesota. McCollum also wrote that she has been contacted by constituents and public officials concerned about reports that ICE is ‘actively soliciting warehouse space to hold as many as 1,500 detainees in Woodbury.’
McCollum’s letter asks Noem if ICE is in fact seeking to acquire a warehouse in Woodbury and, if so, what the address is and the estimated cost of developing the facility. She also seeks documentation about public health and sanitation standards.”
Congress To Vote On Whether To Uphold Mining Ban Near Boundary Waters
By National Parks Traveler
“‘The Boundary Waters is a national treasure,’ said U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, D, MN-04. ‘The federal mineral withdrawal put in place under the Biden administration prevents toxic sulfide ore mining in the headwaters, and it was the result of years of comprehensive and scientifically-sound environmental analysis. The repeated efforts by the Trump administration and Congressman Stauber to overturn this withdrawal are anti-science and ignore the public input which overwhelmingly supported these protections.’”
morning take | More ICE Agents, More Questions and Anxiety
By Blois Olson, morning take
“MORE: Rep. Betty McCollum is one of several Democrats in Congress calling for Sec. Kristi Noem to be impeached. McCOLLUM: ‘Secretary Noem should be fired. If she is not, I support impeachment by the House and conviction by the Senate for her obstruction of Congress and violation of the public trust. … Her deployment of unprofessional, poorly trained, masked immigration agents has put our neighbors in danger.’”
USDA freezes $129 million to Minnesota as top ag leaders gather
By Kim Chipman, Agri-Pulse
“On Saturday, Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., accused the Trump administration of ‘using hunger and fear as weapons.’ Republicans including Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas praised the move.”
Trump administration moves to reverse mining ban near Boundary Waters
By Dan Kraker, MPR News
“U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum of St. Paul — who has introduced legislation similar to Smith’s in the House — also blasted Stauber’s ‘questionable scheme,’ saying the action ignores public input that overwhelmingly supported the mining ban. “
'Appalling conduct': Rep. McCollum calls for removal or impeachment of DHS Secretary Noem
By KARE 11
“‘Following the horrific shooting on Wednesday, Secretary Noem should have ended ICE’s operations in Minnesota to allow local law enforcement officials to restore order and a full investigation of the incident by the FBI and BCA. Instead, she further inflamed the volatile situation by allowing her unprofessional ICE agents to raid Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, during which students witnessed teachers being assaulted by ICE agents. The appalling conduct at ICE and DHS starts with its leadership. Kristi Noem needs to go,’ McCollum said. “
morning take | Peaceful Night, Barricades Removed
By Blois Olson, morning take
“MINING: via Reuters, VERBATIM: ‘The Trump Administration and U.S. Congress are launching a plan this week to overturn former President Joe Biden’s mining ban in northern Minnesota and prevent future administrations from taking similar steps. … Congressman Pete Stauber, a Republican who represents northern Minnesota, plans by Friday to introduce legislation aiming to reject the mining ban. If Congress [approves], a future president could not replicate Biden’s ban because of a provision in the 1996 Congressional Review Act. … If the mining ban is lifted, the Trump Administration would then be free to reissue mining leases for Chile-based Antofagasta.'
RESPONSES: GOP Rep. Pete Stauber and DFL Rep. Betty McCollum issued dueling statements in response to the plan for allowing mining near the Boundary Waters.
STAUBER: ‘This dangerous and illegal mining ban was thrust upon my constituents and our way of life in Northern Minnesota and put our nation’s mineral security in jeopardy.’
McCOLLUM: ‘The repeated efforts by the Trump Administration and Congressman Stauber to overturn this withdrawal are anti-science and ignore the public input which overwhelmingly supported these protections.’”
Gov. Tim Walz puts National Guard on notice in event of unrest
Alex Derosier, Pioneer Press
“U.S. Rep. Betty McCollum, a Democrat from St. Paul, called on ICE agents to leave the state.
‘ICE must immediately cease and desist their actions in Minnesota to allow state and local law enforcement officials to restore order, prevent further violence, and conduct a full, independent, and transparent investigation into ICE’s actions and conduct which caused this horrific shooting,’ McCollum said. ‘Minnesotans are justified in their anger. As Minnesotans, we demand accountability and justice. We have a fundamental right to express our first amendment freedoms through peaceful protest. We must not fall into Trump’s trap of division and violence. We can show the world the best of Minnesota values – our compassion, our respect for the dignity of each of our neighbors, and our belief in justice for all.’”
GOP defends ICE as Dems rage over Minneapolis shooting
By Andrew Solender, Axios
“Several Democratic lawmakers also called for ICE to withdraw from Minneapolis and other major American cities, with Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) saying the agency is ‘needlessly causing chaos in Minnesota.’”
'We need justice, we need the truth', says Minnesota representative
By BBC News
“We're getting more reactions from Democrats over the incident. The BBC has spoken to representative for Minnesota Betty McCollum, who says she doesn't believe the use of force was against Renee Good, the woman who was killed, was justified.
‘She wasn't driving the car violently, there wasn't anything violent happening with the car until she was struck in the head and crashed into another car,’ she says.
McCollum adds she wants to see investigators do their work to find out what happened in today's fatal shooting: ‘We need justice, we need facts, we need the truth and Minnesota deserves an apology.’”