In a contentious hearing on Thursday, House Republicans confronted three Democratic governors regarding immigration policies, amidst nationwide protests against deportations. The House Oversight Committee’s session focused on sanctuary state policies, and tensions escalated as Republican lawmakers accused New York’s Kathy Hochul, Illinois’ JB Pritzker, and Minnesota’s Tim Walz of being complicit in the deaths and harm caused by undocumented immigrants.
The governors robustly defended their positions, emphasizing that immigration enforcement is a federal issue, not a state one. They accused Republican legislators of turning the discussion into a political spectacle to please former President Donald Trump.
House Democrats didn’t hold back in their criticism of Trump, with some labeling him a “gangster” or “dictator.” They also condemned his decision to deploy National Guard troops and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations.
The hearing commenced with Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., stating that the governors were overseeing “sanctuary cities and states” that supported illegal immigration. In counter, Rep. Stephen Lynch, D-Mass., drew controversial parallels between recent ICE actions and the Gestapo, the Nazi regime’s secret police.
A particularly heated exchange occurred when Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., questioned Hochul about the Biden administration’s immigration policies, which he claimed overwhelmed her state. Hochul retorted, asserting, “You’re putting a federal problem on our laps. And know what? It gets old after a while.”
Attempting a more conciliatory approach, Walz recognized the difficult realities of immigration enforcement but cautioned Republicans against suggesting non-cooperation equals a lack of support for federal actions.
The political undertones were evident as Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., not on the committee but allowed by Comer to participate, criticized Hochul on the issue of crime committed by undocumented immigrants, questioning her record as the governor of New York. “No amount of words is going to clean up your failed record,” she stated.
Several lawmakers in the hearing eyed higher office — Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, D-Ill., is running for U.S. Senate, and Donalds and Rep. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., are aiming for gubernatorial positions in their states next year. Walz and Pritzker also emerged as potential contenders for the 2028 Democratic presidential nomination, both recently adjusting their stances on health care for undocumented immigrants.
The hearing also included Democrats attempting to enter reports about an incident involving Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., being forcibly removed from a press event. Rep. Maxwell Frost, D-Fla., pressed Republicans about subpoenaing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, leading to a tense exchange when Comer told him, “Just shut up.”
As emotions flared, Pritzker expressed disbelief at the disrespect shown to Padilla, highlighting the gravity of the situation. Throughout the hearing, Republicans often redirected questions toward other controversial topics, reflecting issues resonant with their base, such as questioning the qualifications of Vice President Kamala Harris regarding President Biden’s mental fitness and raising points about gender identity in restroom policies.
The governors condemned Trump’s invocation of the National Guard to address protests, with Pritzker stating, “When the president of the United States is calling up your National Guard over the top of local law enforcement… it tends to have an inflaming effect on what’s going on on the ground.” Hochul voiced her concerns over Trump’s actions undermining state sovereignty, declaring it an epic overreach that questions the capabilities of local law enforcement.