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ST. PAUL, Minn. - Immigration and LGBTQ+ issues took center stage Thursday evening as five Democratic attorneys general hosted a community impact hearing at North St. Paul High School in St. Paul.
The five attorneys are also taking steps to combat actions they deem unlawful, such as President Donald Trump's attempts to dismantle the Department of Education, attack diversity initiatives and challenging the press.
These attorneys general were Keith Ellison of Minnesota, Letitia "Tish" James of New York, Kris Mayes of Arizona, Matt Platkin of New Jersey and Kwame Raoul of Illinois.
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Many of the president's actions have been implemented through executive orders, which Ellison believes is against the Constitution. He said Congress needs to be consulted when making decisions.
"We're standing up for the right of the United States Congress to make decisions around appropriations, not somebody who just signs a piece of paper and says, 'We're freezing all of your money,'" Ellison said. "They cannot tear down institutions like the Department of Education, which is designed to help educate our families and our children."
Trump promised reform and a new approach during his 2024 election, but Mayes said reform shouldn't take place through executive actions.
"Reform must be done lawfully through the constitutional processes that exists for that purpose," Mayes said.
St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter spoke at the event as well. He said the past few months helped him realize he took the country's progress for granted, and he expressed worries about what could unfold during the Trump administration.
The mayor said Minnesotans are feeling the impact of Trump's immigration policies. He said the immigrant community is afraid to leave their homes and seek assistance when needed.
Although Trump's policies are targeting undocumented immigrants, some other immigrant groups are fearful.
"We ain't going to let nobody tell our communities that we have to weaponize our police officers as immigration agents," Carter said.
James agreed, saying her constituents live in fear.
“I've come here today because individuals cry in my arms each and every day in my beloved Brooklyn, immigrants who are concerned about their family being separated, individuals who are concerned about whether or not their spouses are going to come home,” she said.
However, Minnesotans aren't just worried about Trump's immigration policies. The transgender community spoke to the attorneys general about the need for gender-care.
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Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz signed an executive order in 2023 protecting gender affirming care. Other LGBTQ+ laws in Minnesota include banning conversion therapy for youth and expanded discrimination protections.
These efforts make Minnesotans like OutFront Minnesota Executive Director Kat Rohn feel appreciative to live in Minnesota.
"I am so grateful to be in Minnesota," Rohn said. "The truth is we are seeing folks literally uprooting their lives and moving to our state from states all around this country."
However, many of Thursday night's attendees expressed concerns about the impact of anti-transgender policies, such as barring transgender youth athletes from competing in sports that correspond to their gender identity.
Ellison also said he was concerned with the administration's pursuit of the press, including cuts to Public Broadcasting Services and National Public Radio.
"It is simply not acceptable for the President to sue ABC and make them pay $15 million," he said.
He also called out the administration for suing the Des Moines Register, which is owned by Gannett, "because they issued a poll that he (Trump) didn't like."
The impact of the federal workforce cuts was also discussed. Carter said it left area residents without a paycheck, creating a sense of uncertainty.
On Feb. 13, the federal government fired thousands of probationary employees, according to USA TODAY. A group of Democratic attorneys general filed a lawsuit on the action, and earlier this month a judge ruled the government needed to rehire impacted workers.
Ellison said Minnesota's probationary workers impacted by the mass layoff who haven't been hired back should contact his office at 651-296-3353.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at cschmidt@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Keith Ellison Letitia James Matt Platkin meet in MN discuss Trump
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