Policy Soup stir the pot ALPHA

Get me to God’s country

Photo of a large crowd in front of the entrance to the Minnesota State Fair.

Photo of a bucket of cookies from Sweet Martha’s cookies at the Minnesota State Fair.

Merriam-Webster

@merriam-webster.com

Get me to God's country

This is exactly what I feared but knew in my gut was true: This group chat scandal isn't an isolated incident, it's just the only one we know about. Any Republicans that stick their heads in the sand, look the other way and pretend this isn't a serious problem are abdicating their responsibility.

Tina Smith

@smith.senate.gov

What other sensitive data are they carelessly sending via unsecured group chats?

Post from @AlexBWard: NEW: “Two U.S. officials also said that Waltz has created and hosted multiple other sensitive national security conversations on Signal with cabinet members, including separate threads on how to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine as well as military operations.”

What other sensitive data are they carelessly sending via unsecured group chats?

Eid Mubarak, Minnesota!

Trans Day of Visibility should be a day of joy, but it feels somber this year. The onslaught of attacks against trans folks seems endless, so I just want to say this: Trans people deserve respect, freedom, and autonomy. They deserve to live their lives as their true selves without fear.

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govMar 29(source)

I’m tracking this situation closely and have been in touch with U of M leaders. We need answers on exactly what is happening. (2/2)

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govMar 29(source)

International students are huge assets to the University of Minnesota. They move thousands of miles away from their families and support systems to learn from the best and the brightest. I can’t imagine how terrified they are after learning ICE has detained one of their classmates. (1/2)

Email from the University of Minnesota that reads: Dear students, faculty and staff,
We are writing to inform you about a deeply concerning situation involving one of our international graduate students at the University of Minnesota.
We learned that, on March 27 at an off-campus residence, U.S.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained a graduate student enrolled on our Twin Cities campus. We are actively working to gather more details about this incident.
In cases like this, the University takes steps to ensure students are connected to internal resources and support, such as Student Legal Service and International Student and Scholar Services.
The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred.
It is important to note that our campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws, and our officers do not inquire about an individual's immigration status. Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust and maintaining strong relationships across the University community.
As we work to gather more information, please know the University has information, resources and FAQs about federal immigration policies available on the Rapid Response website.
We understand how distressing this news may be for members of our University community. If you or someone you know needs mental health support during this time, please visit mentalhealth.umn.edu, which connects you to resources across all five campuses.
Rebecca Cunningham
President

Rumeysa Ozturk must not be deported. You can't kidnap someone off the street for their political views — this isn't Moscow. She has every right to speak her mind. I've contacted the Administration. I want answers.

Busting unions? In the year 2025? No thanks — I know whose side I’m on. See you in court, Mr. President.

Senator Tina Smith marching with the AFGE union in support of federal workers.

Photo of a march with the words “‘Not billionaires. Not union busters. Not musk.” over people’s heads and on their shirts.

AFL-CIO

@aflcio.org

Stripping collective bargaining and union rights from workers across the federal government is the very definition of union busting — and a blatant attempt to silence us. We will fight this outrageous attack on our members with every fiber of our collective being.

Screenshot of the AFL-CIO's statement condemning the Trump administration's executive order stripping collective bargaining and union rights from workers across the federal government.

A good win to start the weekend. Now let’s see if this lawless Admin actually obeys the court (can’t believe I even have to say that).

Kyle Cheney

@kyledcheney.bsky.social

BREAKING: Judge Amy Berman Jackson has *blocked* the dismantling of CFPB. ecf.dcd.uscourts.gov/cgi-bin/show...

I want to leave everyone with the words of Dr. Doolittle: “I hope when people have an issue, they remember the lessons of the past; that if they have an issue, it is not with those that serve, but with those that put us into the conflict.”

An American flag flying next to the memorial wreath

97,000 Minnesotans served during the Vietnam war, including Dr. Everett Doolittle, who I joined at Fort Snelling to honor those servicemembers.

Senator Smith shares a smile with a member of the Color Guard

Senator Smith speaking to and holding a woman’s hand after the ceremony

Just going to leave this here…

Joe Weisenthal

@weisenthal.bsky.social

Stocks are going straight down right now.

Reposted byTina Smith

Senator Tammy Baldwin@baldwin.senate.govMar 27(source)

At this point, I think we might have to!

Tina Smith

@smith.senate.gov

@kylegriffin1.bsky.social

Do we need to start wearing name tags, @baldwin.senate.gov?

Photo of Senators Tammy Baldwin and Tina Smith wearing the same outfit behind a news desk.

Tina Smith@smith.senate.govMar 27(source)

I mean, it’s not like there’s a measles outbreak or anything…

Kyle Griffin