Fighting for a local family and demanding accountability at the Pentagon.
I promised you that I would hold Donald Trump and his cronies accountable. That means standing up when this administration abuses its power, demanding answers when it fails the American people, and making sure no one is above the law.
This week, I have been doing just that.
After more than 100 days in an ICE detention center in Tacoma over a paperwork problem, Conway resident Juan Martinez is finally home.
I am glad I could help Juan return to his family and community. But let us be clear: No one should spend more than three months in detention because of a paperwork issue. The Trump administration's reckless deportation agenda is causing real harm to people in our communities. I will keep fighting to ensure ICE follows the same rules as every other law enforcement agency and that families like Juan's get the answers and treatment they deserve.
I also continue to believe Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is unfit to lead the Pentagon. In March 2025, I called for his immediate resignation or firing. Tuesday, I supported impeaching him for his incompetent leadership.
But instead of allowing the House to debate and vote on impeachment, House Republicans voted 211 to 204 to block consideration of the resolution on procedural grounds. Once again, Republicans chose to protect this administration rather than hold it accountable.
That will not stop me. I will continue looking for every opportunity to hold Secretary Hegseth accountable for his failures.
This fight is not over.
With a new Democratic majority in the House, we will have the opportunity to turn accountability into action. We will conduct meaningful oversight, demand answers, investigate abuses of power, and make clear that this administration is not above the law.
I promised you that I would stand up to Trump and his cronies. I intend to keep that promise.
Juan Martinez is home. The fight for accountability at the Pentagon continues. And when Democrats take the majority, we will have even more tools to make this administration answer for its actions.
This is what accountability looks like.
Rick
