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Author: Elaine Hurd

Podcasts Are Better Than TV

OPINION

If you haven’t spent time exploring the expanding world of podcasts, I suggest you do so. You can get the news in real time, or close to it, with smart analysis from trustworthy sources.

I have mostly turned off TV news. I catch a few favorite shows periodically, but I turn to YouTube with an array of choices to fit my time and mood. I am amazed at how dedicated these podcasters are to bringing truth to their audiences in light of how little they are paid compared to what they could (and did) command in mainstream media. The shows are different and reflect the personalities of the hosts who can be quite creative.

Who are my go-to’s? Well, it depends. I love what Don Lemon is doing. He is unleashed and spent last weekend trekking around Chicago and bringing the conflict between ICE, police and protesters to the viewer in real time. It was fascinating. You didn’t see any of this on legacy media. Each day, he does a live broadcast at 7 a.m. and 2 p.m. Pacific Time. Lemon is a pro who built up his credentials on CNN for years.

I also love watching Jim Acosta, another trusted CNN alum. He spends time on long form interviews and he can now express his opinion without media overlords. Acosta covered the first Trump administration and his perspective is priceless.

If you have time to listen to one person each day, make that Heather Cox Richardson. She is a renown historian who puts what is happening into historical context. Richardson broadcasts nearly every day.

I am hooked on former Republican political operatives and opinion writers who are Never Trumpers. These include Tim Miller, Sarah Longwell, Jonathan V. Last, Bill Kristol, and Mona Charen at The Bulwark as well as Rick Wilson and Stuart Stevens at The Lincoln Project. These are the ones who bucked their party, ended friendships and have firmly stood on the side of preserving Democracy. They have a moral compass.

The biggest of them all is MeidasTouch. Founded by three brothers during COVID, led by attorney Ben Meiselas, this format is hard hitting opinion and news updates. New material is dropped all day and night long. Occasionally they will go live for important news. This is the only “liberal” podcast that breaks the top ten in viewers on YouTube. I check in every day.

Other notable mentions that I peruse regularly include Pod Save America, with former Obama staffers, Harry Litman for legal analysis, media mainstays Charlie Sykes and Steve Schmidt, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway to find out what the Silicon Valley oligarchs are up to, and I really enjoy Keith Edwards for quick updates and Trae Crowder for humor. There are others, which I will list below. You will figure out what appeals to you once you view their content.

How best to watch? I subscribe to YouTube. I pay a monthly fee because I detest commercials and am willing to fork over cash to eliminate them. There are commercials embedded into many podcasts because they’ve got to pay their bills. Simply hit “subscribe” and you will get a menu of those you follow. A blue dot will appear when there is new content. A red dot indicates that the podcast is live. You can upvote and comment, follow comments of other viewers and otherwise engage.

You can also follow podcasts on Substack, Spotify, Apple and other platforms but I find YouTube to be the easiest to access.

Here is my tip — check in on these podcast during No Kings weekend. You will get more information than you will find on regular TV.

These are the podcasts that are in my “subscriber” menu. I’m sure you will find others and I welcome you to share them with me. The podcast landscape is fluid and my hat is off to everyone who works hard to bring us news and commentary in this evolving format.

MeidasTouch

The Bulwark

Heather Cox Richardson

Pod Save America

The Lincoln Project

Don Lemon

Jim Acosta

Keith Edwards

Talking Feds with Harry Litman

Lincoln Square

Democracy Docket

The Warning with Steve Schmidt

Rick Wilson’s Against All Enemies

The Mark Thompson Show

Legal AF

To The Contrary with Charlie Sykes

The Contrarian

Terry Moran

Simon Rosenberg

Thom Hartman

Al Franken

Politicon

Democracy Now!

Secular Talk

Katie Phang

The Ezra Klein Show

Christine Amanpour Presents: The Ex-Files

Pivot with Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway

The Joy Reid Show

Assembly Required with Stacey Abrams

Keith Olberman

Fast Politics with Molly Jang-Fast

Stay Tuned with Preet Bharara

Trae Crowder

The Enemy from Within

Katie Couric

This Is Gavin Newsome

Aaron Ford Discusses Strengthening Schools, Making Nevada More Affordable in Rural Mesquite

This is a press release issued by Ford for Governor on October 8, 2025

“Ford’s underlying message to attendees: ‘“You matter.”’
Last week, Attorney General Aaron Ford spoke to a packed room in Mesquite to discuss his plans to make Nevada more affordable and strengthen our schools with rural voters. From lowering the costs of prescription drugs to the Medicare-negotiated price for all Nevadans to investing in vocational education, Ford’s agenda focuses on uplifting working families.

See more from Ford’s visit to Mesquite here:

Mesa Valley Progress: Attorney General Aaron Ford Visits MesquiteTerri Fitzsimmons“We’re broke, but we’re not broken.”

Aaron Ford’s mother used these words often to instill in him the importance of resilience and hope. On Oct. 1, the current state Attorney General and Democratic candidate for governor spoke with over 40 attendees at the Democratic Center in Mesquite.

Ford arrived at the meeting late due to an accident on the freeway. In the meantime, attendees discussed upcoming events. Minddie Llyod, running for Clark County public administrator, gave a short speech. As Ford entered the room, attendees applauded. Without missing a beat, he strode to the front of the crowded room, beginning his speech, sharing his personal background.

One program started Ford on the right track: Upward Bound, a federally funded program helping the children of low-income families. He spent the summer practicing for the SATs, developing skills and motivation for success in higher education.Ford went on to earn five degrees: four in education and one in law. In 1993, he became a single father and was determined not to drop out of school. Once again, government assistance helped him with food and housing.

These interventions serve as motivation for Ford today as he advocates for free school lunches, protecting Upward Bound and protecting Medicaid. Ford said over 100,000 people in Nevada, mainly seniors, are in danger of losing their benefits due to the “Big Beautiful Act.” Ford is concerned about the possibility of the demolition of the Department of Education. He believes that access to education, including vocational education, is crucial.

Ford added that families are being exploited not only by housing costs but also by rising medical costs. One attendee interjected with, “My wife works at the Salvation Army Food Bank. Every month between 900 and 1,000 people come through those doors.”

Others expressed their concerns about the cost of prescription drugs.

After Ford’s speech, attendees shared comments or asked questions, which varied from sanctuary cities to medical costs. Ford reiterated his stance on public education: “We need to properly fund public schools. Also, there has to be teacher accountability, parent accountability, along with student accountability.”

Ford’s underlying message to attendees: “You matter.”
The evening ended with a group picture with the attorney general and one-on-one discussions with him. He plans to revisit Mesquite next month.



Horsford: Republicans Shut Down the Government They’re Supposed to be Running

THIS IS A PRESS RELEASE FROM CONGRESSMAN STEVEN HORSFORD

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) released the following statement as Congressional Republicans failed to fund the federal government despite having unified control of the House of Representatives, the U.S. Senate, and the White House.

This marks the first government shutdown since 2018, when Republican majorities in the House and Senate shuttered federal agencies for 34 days during Donald Trump’s first term as president, costing the U.S. economy $8 billion according to the Congressional Budget Office.

“Republicans were elected to run our government – instead, they just ran it into the ground,” Rep. Horsford said. “Federal services have stopped; federal employees aren’t being paid; and yet another opportunity to protect healthcare for millions of Americans was completely ignored.

“Nevadans pay their taxes and deserve to get their money’s worth, regardless of which party is in charge,” Horsford continued. “But blanket tariffs, healthcare cuts, and tax hikes were already taking a heavy toll on our state, before this shutdown. My constituents are right to question how any of these policies help them, or how a government shutdown is in anyone’s best interest.

“The concerning truth is this administration and its allies in Congress seem to want this shutdown,” Horsford added. “The same president who fired tens of thousands of federal employees just shuttered the federal government entirely. And the same Congressional Republicans who passed a law cutting healthcare for millions of Americans just cancelled votes rather than working with Democrats to keep more Americans insured.

“The last time there was a government shutdown was in 2018 when Donald Trump was in the White House and Republicans controlled the House and the Senate,” Horsford said. “Seven years later, we are in another government shutdown with Donald Trump in the White House and Republicans in control of the House and Senate. The pattern is clear.

“My constituents deserve better. Their constituents deserve better. Federal employees deserve better. And our country deserves better.”

Rep. Horsford launched a site page on his website for constituents to receive timely updates on how the government shutdown is impacting them.

More information is available here.

Congressional Black Caucus Statement on Charlie Kirk Resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) and members of the Congressional Black Caucus issued the following statement:

“Violence has no place in our politics, whether it is the murder of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol, or the killing of Charlie Kirk. We must unequivocally reject violence in all its forms. Too many times in our nation’s history, political differences have turned to violence – violence that our community, in particular, knows too well from the assassinations of Black leaders like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Medger Evers, and Fred Hampton, among other“At the same time, we must condemn violence without abandoning our right to speak out against ideas that are inconsistent with our values as Americans. We strongly disagree with many of the beliefs Charlie Kirk promoted: including his belief that the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which ended racial segregation, was a mistake; his denial that systemic racism exists; his promotion of the Great Replacement theory; and his offensive claims about Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Michelle Obama, and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee lacking adequate cognitive ability.

“The resolution introduced in the House to honor Charlie Kirk’s legacy is not about healing, lowering the temperature of our political discourse, or even ensuring the safety of members of Congress, staff, and Capitol personnel. It is, unfortunately, an attempt to legitimize Kirk’s worldview — a worldview that includes ideas many Americans find racist, harmful, and fundamentally un-American.

“In the wake of this tragedy, President Trump has senselessly threatened to go after the political left. The American people are tired of this kind of cynical politics. It’s disheartening to see a tragedy used to further divide the country and suppress honest debate. As the conscience of the Congress, the CBC has a responsibility to speak out against this on behalf of our communities, and we are calling on each of our colleagues who share our values to follow suit.

Enough is enough.”

As Nevadans Suffer the Consequences of Lombardo’s First Term, His Reelection Campaign Launch FLOPS 

This is a press released issued by the Nevada Democratic Party
September 16, 2025
“Do you think Governor Lombardo deserves a second term? So far, a majority of those participating say no.” – KSNV
Joe Lombardo decided to launch his doomed bid for reelection while Nevadans are still recovering from the worst cyberattack in Nevada history. Lombardo’s record is clear: worst-in-the-nation unemployment rates, a growing housing crisis, and sky-high costs. 

Despite making unemployment a central part of his 2022 campaign, Nevada’s unemployment rates are now higher than when Lombardo took office in 2023. While home prices in Las Vegas outpace the rest of the country, Lombardo vetoed affordable housing legislation as foreclosure and eviction rates have risen to historic levels.

Lombardo failed to answer for his broken promises and Nevadans cannot afford another four years under his disastrous leadership.

Lombardo refuses to stand up against Trump’s damaging policies, even saying that Nevadans should be “excited” about the Republican spending bill that will cut health care for over 115,000 Nevadans and that they should “feel a little pain” from Trump’s tariffs. Although Lombardo tried to pretend Trump didn’t exist last night, Lombardo will have to answer for his ongoing embrace of the president’s cost-raising agenda that is leaving Nevadans behind. 

Here’s what people are saying about Lombardo’s doomed bid for reelection: 

On the Airwaves
 
Alyssa Deitsch, KVVU: “Nevada State Democrats were ready for Lombardo’s reelection announcement […] business owners also spoke out about their struggles as tourism falls and the price of many goods increases. ”
 
Tom Durian, KVVU: “Earlier today, Nevada senator Dina Neal held a press conference criticizing how governor Lombardo has been leading Nevada, she criticized his numerous vetoes, including one bill that would limit corporate investors from buying up property in the state.” 
 
Senator Dina Neal, KSNV: “Nevadans can’t afford another four years under Lombardo’s leadership, the jobless rates have worsened, and we’re at the highest in the nation, and we are grappling with the cyberattack that just happened in Nevada. Nevada is also facing one of the highest housing crises” 

In Print

Las Vegas Sun: Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo launches reelection campaignNevada Democrats had their own counterprogramming Monday morning before Lombardo’s announcement. State Sen. Dina Neal, D-North Las Vegas, said the state couldn’t take another four years of Lombardo at the wheel, citing the state’s housing crisis and high unemployment rate. 
 “Take it from Lombardo himself,” Nevada Young Dems President Sierra Hernandez said at Mothership Coffee’s downtown shop. “He said, ‘The unemployment rate hasn’t gotten better.’ If that’s the case, why does he deserve to stay in office?”

Mothership Coffee CEO Juanny Romero also drew attention to how President Donald Trump’s trade war has affected Nevada, saying it’s driving Las Vegas’ depressed tourism numbers. At the same time Romero is seeing reduced traffic, coffee prices are shooting up, she said.

KTNV: Gov. Lombardo announces his reelection campaign for 2026National and state Democrats, however, criticized Lombardo, with a news release from the Nevada State Democratic Party calling his candidacy “doomed.”
 “Joe Lombardo hasn’t offered a single serious solution to make life affordable for Nevadans,” said Assemblywoman Daniele Monroe-Moreno, chairwoman of the state Democratic Party, in a statement. “Under his failed leadership, costs are up, tourism is plummeting, unemployment has gotten worse and is among the highest in the nation, and Nevada still hasn’t fully recovered from the worst cyberattack in state history

The statement goes on to criticize Lombardo for his record number of vetoes, including bills on prescription drugs, housing and school meals.
 “Lombardo’s record is clear and Nevadans can’t afford another four years of broken promises and sky-high costs,” the statement says. “Democrats are building an unmatched ground game and remain laser-focused on the issues that matter most to hardworking families and together, we will make Lombardo a one-term governor.”

Nevada Independent: Joe Lombardo launches re-election bid for Nevada governorThe economy will also be central to Democrats’ messaging. They have criticized Lombardo’s response to the megabill, which includes cuts to Medicaid and food stamps, accusing him of being silent on policies that harm Nevadans. They have also blamed Lombardo and Trump for Vegas’ struggling economy, which has seen a notable drop in visitation this year in what some experts attribute to a decrease in international travel because of Trump’s trade policies. 

Recent Democratic polling found weak numbers on the state of Nevada’s economy, as well as Lombardo’s support of Trump. The Cook Political Report has dubbed the gubernatorial race a “toss up” — one of five contests with that designation.Fox News: Republican governor targeted by Democrats launches re-election bid in key battlegroundThe DGA argued that Lombardo “twists himself into knots trying to defend his disastrous agenda that has left Nevada’s working families and small businesses behind.”

The Nevada Democratic Party tied Lombardo to President Donald Trump, slamming the governor for what they charged was his “embrace of Trump’s reckless policies, all of which have led to worst-in-the-nation unemployment rates, a growing housing crisis, and sky-high costs.” 

https://nvdems.com/as-nevadans-suffer-the-consequences-of-lombardos-first-term-his-reelection-campaign-launch-flops/

So What’s The Real Story?

We don’t know that much about the alleged assassin of Charlie Kirk, 22-year old Utah resident Tyler Robinson. But there sure is a lot of hyperbole and questionable information flying around.

Before buying into the finger pointing, let’s recap who has been responsible for recent political assassinations and attempts:

All Trump Supporters:

Alleged assassin of Minnesota Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband who were shot in their home.

Alleged arsonist who set fire to the mansion of the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvanian as Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping.

Alleged killer of the son of Obama-appointed Judge Esther Salas. (gunman committed suicide).

January 6 insurgents who attacked and Capitol and wanted to hang Mike Pence. (video of attack and picture of the noose is available online).

The men convicted of trying to kidnap and kill Democratic governor of Michigan, Gretchen Whitmer.

The man who was convicted of sending pipe bombs to the homes of Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

The man who was convicted of trying to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and assaulted her husband, Paul Pelosi, with a hammer in their home.

That’s a pretty impressive list of Trump supporters who have carried out attacks.

Watch Keith Edwards who dropped this podcast within the last hour. He is looking into the background of Tyler Robinson. It appears he too has been a Trump supporter.

After Cyberattack Hamstrings Emergency Services and Nevadans’ Labor Day Travel Plans, Lombardo Waits Five Days to Address Public

Press Release Issued by the Nevada Democratic Party on August 29, 2025

While Nevadans still can’t access essential services like applying for food benefits and renewing vehicle registrations, Joe Lombardo was sipping wine with campaign donors. Despite Lombardo making his law enforcement background his entire campaign, he couldn’t face Nevadans as Nye County police were unable to dispatch state police officers when residents called 911. While this partial government shutdown drags on and Nevadans’ Labor Day plans are disrupted, Lombardo continues to prove over and over that he is unfit to lead the state in crisis.   

Here’s the rundown of the last six days: After hackers stole Nevada state data, Lombardo ditched his own press conference on the cyberattack for a campaign event, prompting widespread backlash about his lack of leadership in this statewide crisis. Then, Lombardo tried to do damage control, holding another press conference less than 24 hours later to paper over his absence. Instead of reassuring Nevadans about this massive data breach, No Show Joe spent the press conference trying to defend his absence and dodging questions. After throwing a temper tantrum at the podium, Lombardo fled to a county club for another campaign event and Nevadans still have zero answers on what happened and when many key essential services will reopen.  

Here’s what people are saying about Lombardo’s lack of leadership during this dangerous cyberattack:

Print

Fox Reno: Gov. Lombardo hosts press conference on cyber attack after missing Wednesday’s conference

Fox 5 Vegas: Was personal information stolen? Nevada Governor discusses cyberattack for first time publicly

ABC 13: We brought your worries about the cyberattack affecting state services directly to Gov. Joe Lombardo

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Sluggish outlook may lead to drop in Labor Day weekend visits to Las Vegas

Las Vegas Review-Journal: Nevada governor defends absence, calls cyberattack his most serious crisis

ABC 13: Gov. Lombardo defends handling of Nevada cyberattack crisis

3 News: What could be the political fallout from Lombardo’s press conference absence?

Nevada Current: Cyber attack briefing: Data taken ‘out of network’; lots of assurances; few details; and no governor

Nevada Independent: Nevada targeted in ransomware attack; some data taken out of state, officials say 

On the Airwaves

Abel Garcia, Channel 13: “Governor Joe Lombardo facing criticism from a local grassroots group”

Latoya Simon, Channel 3: “One of the questions that people have been asking, is ‘where has Governor Lombardo been during the cyber incident,’ including why he didn’t attend the news conference yesterday in Carson City?”

Nevada Resident Manuel Santamaria, Channel 3: “He should have been there. It’s his priority as the governor of the state of Nevada. This isn’t the biggest state in terms of population. You would think that he has enough of his own time to give to everybody. So I believe his excuses were poor. He should always have that in front of mind, right? Always be out front helping the people of Nevada. And he’s failed to do that time and time again.” 

Nye County Sheriff Joe McGill, Fox 5 News: “The dispatchers are having to take as brief of notes as they possibly can in handwriting on a piece of paper, dispatch the unit, they’re having to keep track on another piece of paper of where their units are. It absolutely is an officer safety issue. … Our computer-aided dispatch system shows the GPS location based on the computer in the car. We don’t have that right now. If somebody were to come on the air and scream, I need help, they don’t know where they are.”

Nevada Resident, Channel 3: “I was coming to get food stamps for me and my kids, but the office, I guess their system is down.” 

On Social

@ralstonreports: So they held a presser on 4-day-old massive hack of NV government, gave almost no new info and the gov was not there:

“During the question portion….state officials would not provide additional facts that were not already stated in prepared remarks.”

@howardstutz: Lombardo doesn’t want to answer any more questions about his absence at the Wednesday presser:
“I’m here taking care of business, and it never swayed for my responsibility as your governor. This press conference is to provide our current situation.”

@SteveSebelius: Gov. @JosephMLombardo on Thursday defended his handling of the cyber attack against the state, saying he’s been involved in the response since the start despite skipping a Wednesday news conference in Carson City.

@BattleBornProg: While government services are still offline and Nevadans want answers to the cyberattack on our data, Joe Lombardo thinks wine tasting with big business is more important. #NoShowJoe

Horsford on DOGE Misuse of Social Security Data: Not surprising, but Shocking Nonetheless

Press release issued by Congressman Steven Horsford on August 26, 2025

LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) responded today to whistle-blower allegations that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), posted a highly sensitive Social Security database to a vulnerable cloud server, placing the personal information of hundreds of thousands of Americans at risk of being leaked or hacked.

Congressman Horsford, who sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, led his Democratic colleagues in a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) on April 10 demanding all documents related to DOGE-driven cuts, closures, and staff reductions at the Social Security Administration.

Rather than address Horsford’s concerns and uphold Congressional oversight responsibilities, Speaker Johnson and Congressional Republicans in April paused all ROIs through September 30, 2025.

Rep. Horsford released the following statement:

“It’s not surprising that the cabal who executed the largest data breach in American history has left the sensitive information they stole vulnerable to cyber criminals,” Rep. Horsford said. “But it’s shocking nevertheless to think that this is happening with the President’s blessing and Congressional Republican capitulation.”

The news comes just weeks after the Elon Musk-run pseudo federal agency which claimed to target wasteful government spending, was found to have squandered nearly $22 billion in taxpayer money.

“The time for accountability is right now,” Horsford continued. “I’m calling on Speaker Johnson and Congressional Republicans to stop their obstruction and join Democrats in demanding oversight. This administration has placed my constituents’ most sensitive information in harm’s way – they owe every Nevadan, and every single American, an explanation as to why.”

Rep. Horsford, who is Nevada’s only lawmaker on the House Ways and Means Committee, represents nearly 150,000 Social Security recipients in Nevada’s 4th Congressional District. 

He has been an outspoken critic on the Trump Administration’s efforts to end Social Security as the American people know it.

February 25, 2025
Rep. Horsford spoke out when DOGE targeted a Social Security office in Las Vegas for closure without warning local leaders. The administration has since retreated from the planned closure. 

March 5, 2025

Rep. Horsford co-led the Keeping Our Field Offices Open Act, which would prevent the Trump Administration from closing Social Security Administration offices. 

March 19, 2025

Rep. Horsford raised an alarm about Trump administration plans in a leaked memo from SSA Acting Deputy Commissioner Doris Diaz that would significantly hamper operations and prevent people from applying for or receiving benefits. The memo suggested that applicants who cannot verify their identity with the SSA’s online system should visit a local field office in person, ending the opportunity for these individuals to apply for, or update, benefits over the phone. 

April 10, 2025

Rep. Horsford led Ways and Means Committee Democrats in introducing a Resolution of Inquiry (ROI) requesting all documents and copies, records, audio recordings, memorandum, and more to the House of Representatives relating to backdoor benefit cuts that President Trump and Elon Musk enacted against the Social Security Administration, including requirements to apply for benefits in person, closing field and hearing offices, and reductions to SSA staff. 

Video of Rep. Horsford’s comments is available here.

June 25, 2025

Rep. Horsford questioned Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano on Trump administration efforts to close SSA offices and roll back earned benefits. During his questioning, Rep. Horsford asked whether Commissioner Bisignano would work to ensure all field offices are not only fully operational, but also better staffed, more efficient, and equipped to meet the growing needs of the public. Bisignano, who was visibly and audibly noncommittal throughout his testimony, said yes only after Horsford demanded a yes or no answer.

Video of Rep. Horsford’s interactions with SSA Commissioner Bisignano is available here.

Horsford on Inspecting Pahrump ICE Facility: Congressional Oversight is Never Optional

This Is A Press Release Issued by Congressman Steven Horsford

LAS VEGAS – Congressman Steven Horsford (NV-04) on Tuesday conducted Congressional oversight of the Nevada Southern Detention Center (NSDC), a privately-owned facility managed by CoreCivic under contract with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Pahrump, Nevada.

Horsford’s inspection came three weeks after he was denied entry to the same facility, and on the same day he sent a letter to the Chair and Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security requesting an investigation into the incident.

“The Constitution is clear, and so are our laws – Congressional oversight is never optional,” Rep. Horsford said. “I am concerned that the Department of Homeland Security neglected its obligations when I initially tried to visit this facility. Based on conversations I had with detainees today, I’m also concerned that DHC used the past three weeks to make improvements before I arrived.

“I spoke with nine detainees today, and what they shared with me is deeply concerning,” Horsford continued. “Medical treatment can take weeks; detainees do not have reliable access to immigration attorneys or resources; and many have been moved across state lines in the dead of night without advanced notice or understanding of where they were going.

“What I saw today underscores the importance of Congressional oversight,” Horsford added. “It speaks to why administration officials must honor our Constitution, and why Members of Congress must fight to protect our authority. That is why I requested an investigation from the House Appropriations Committee today, and I look forward to working with the Committee to uphold our laws and our Constitution.”

Alarming footage highlighted in Horsford’s letter shows the facility warden refusing entry to the lawmaker and his staff, and labeling them, “security risks”. On-site staff went so far as to call law enforcement on the Congressman.

Horsford’s letter asks, in part, for an investigation into the Department of Homeland Security’s noncompliance on his previous visit, and for the committee to, “consider appropriate corrective actions, including the potential conditioning of future appropriations to ensure full adherence to Congressional oversight obligations as outlined under federal law.”

By law, no Member of Congress is required to give advanced notice to inspect an ICE facility.  Every appropriations package since 2020 explicitly states that funds cannot be used to prevent a member of Congress “from entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens.” 

Text of Rep. Horsford’s letter is available here.