Van Hollen: ‘The American People Want Us to Stand Up’ to Trump
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is issuing a warning about the need to stand up to authoritarians when they target the most vulnerable among us.
In an interview with Democracy Docket founder Marc Elias, Van Hollen described the extreme threat that Trump and his administration pose to constitutional rights, and encouraged people to “speak up and stand up” in the face of tyranny.
“You have people like [Stephen] Miller openly talking about ending habeas corpus, suspending the Constitution of the United States, instituting martial law,” Van Hollen said. “This is why it is so important that all of us speak up and stand up. Because what bullies do and what authoritarian leaders do is they start coming after people they perceive as the most vulnerable.”
For Van Hollen, the fight for democracy landed right in his backyard. In March, the Trump administration illegally deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia — a Maryland resident and father of three. He’s currently being held in a supermax prison in El Salvador. While the administration claims they have no power to bring Garcia home, Van Hollen is using his power to fight back.
“You may remember when President Bukele from El Salvador visited the United States… I said, let’s meet while you’re in Washington. And I did put in my letter that if we didn’t meet in Washington, I was going to go to El Salvador. So, he didn’t meet with me in Washington. So next thing I know, I was on the plane to El Salvador,” Van Hollen told Elias.
Now, back in Washington D.C., Van Hollen is determined to continue fighting for his constituents and fighting back against the Trump administration. As Republicans try to put essential programs like Medicare, SNAP, and Social Security on the chopping block, Elias asked Van Hollen what he tells people who confess they feel scared or powerless.
“I tell them they do have power, and they have power in their voice,” Van Hollen said.
Van Hollen explained that the American people are the ones being hurt by this “chainsaw taken to public services,” and their voices are critical at this moment.
“At the end of the day, the American people want us to stand up. And so I will continue to fight.”