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Chicago Tribune
3 days ago
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Letters: The Tribune Editorial Board is hypocritical in criticizing US Rep. Delia Ramirez
The Tribune Editorial Board sees no contradiction or hypocrisy, apparently, in its statement about words that matter. Its members decided to criticize U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, who represents Illinois' 3rd District, for her comment that she felt a strong affiliation with her family's native Guatemala by commenting, 'I'm a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American' ('Words matter when you're elected to represent America, congresswoman Ramirez,' Aug. 6). The editorial board writes: 'But Americans expect their leaders to confirm their belief in and allegiance to this country.' In these challenging and frustratingly difficult times, I often have to search to find pride in my own American birthright. Our authoritarian president continues his daily attacks on our democracy and has made astounding progress in deconstructing our government with the active assistance of Congress and the Supreme Court. Are there Tribune editorials about Donald Trump's authoritarianism that decry his words? Should I find myself in a discussion with any French, Canadian, British or other person born outside the U.S. about America's values, I would struggle to find the words to support our domestic agenda and the government's poor treatment of other nations with the administration's threats and bullying. What is the importance of words if editorial board members make their living through the use of words but don't see the overriding importance to speak out about the downfall of our democratic institutions? Does the Tribune Editorial Board honestly believe that words matter or is the editorial on Ramirez just clickbait?I am profoundly disappointed with the editorial on U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez's speech to the Panamerican Congress. A responsible editorial staff would have published the original Spanish transcript as well as her English remarks and given its audience a fuller context. Instead, the editorial board jumped on the right-wing narrative clearly designed to outrage people. There are competing translations that support the interpretation that she meant to say she identified as American first. Has the editorial board even bothered to consult with Spanish speakers? With so many Spanish speakers in Chicagoland, it is incredible that the editorial board could botch a simple assignment. How is this contributing to the civil discourse that is severely stressed under this current regime?The editorial on U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez takes out of context a statement in which Ramirez declares her pride in her ethnicity, twisting it to sound like she is unpatriotic. Does this editorial writer know of anyone of Irish or Mexican or Indian descent who is proud of their ethnic origin? I wonder if the Tribune writer spoke to Ramirez to ascertain what she said or look at her record as a U.S. representative. Her record is as patriotic as any and more courageous than most. She speaks truth to power, risking her political career.I can say that I'm a proud Italian before I'm an American since my father emigrated from Italy and I was born in America, but I would blemish the pride he exhibited as a U.S. citizen who assimilated in his adopted country. He had no formal education and always followed the direction offered by the local Democratic precinct captain who visited our home with instructions on pulling the lever at the polling machine to vote straight Democrat. Recently, Democratic U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez of Illinois made a controversial comment in saying 'I'm a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American.' She was born in Chicago to immigrant parents and became a birthright citizen. I'm not attacking Ramirez, but her choice of words in the public domain casts doubt on her loyalty as a federal official taking an oath to uphold the U.S. Constitution. Will she represent all Illinoisans?For the millionth time, the issue is not immigrants. The issue is unbridled immigration in which we don't know who is coming in. And then on top of that, our government now feels responsible to take care of these migrants when our federal, state and local governments are deeply in debt. , 'out of many, one,' is one our nation's mottos. Immigrants of the past assimilated to our American culture to become full Americans. Now we are ashamed of America and its culture, and we encourage our immigrants to be diverse. Not all assimilate. And that is a weakness. Our country is no longer united. There are very few things that we are united on. Congress is split down the middle. Our country is split down the middle. Our modern immigration policies encourage only more division, not on The Associated Press article 'Many Dems not happy with party' (in print Aug. 4), the Democratic Party is perceived as 'weak' and 'ineffective' at thwarting the growing power and influence of the current White House administration. Conversely, I would like to offer a different perspective and a blueprint for the Democratic Party. Protesting, holding rallies, conducting filibusters in the Senate or expressing unrelenting criticism of the current president is not a formula for sustained, future success. It further divides disillusioned Democratic voters while alienating moderates, independents and Republicans not enamored with the current administration. Instead, the Democratic Party needs to promote a political, economic and social platform that appeals to both its loyal core and disillusioned voters. The Democratic Party needs to focus on issues that unequivocally resonate with its base, such as a robust economy that prioritizes the middle class while providing aid and economic opportunities for the poor. Democrats need to reprioritize clean energy (solar and wind) while providing job training for coal miners and other workers whose jobs will eventually become obsolete. They need to focus on rebuilding and modernizing our nation's infrastructure and aggressively promote mass transportation to curtail traffic gridlock. They need to promote an objective and fair immigration policy that encourages immigrants to immigrate to America legally while humanely addressing immigrants in the country illegally. They need to promote a foreign policy that proactively reaches out to and works collaboratively with our allies in addressing unprovoked aggression. They need to embrace a trade policy based on laissez faire principles and eradicate punitive and erratically enacted tariffs. Most importantly, the Democratic Party needs to actively reach out to and listen to its constituents and disillusioned former supporters. The upcoming 2026 congressional elections are a golden opportunity for the Democratic Party to sway the current political climate toward an empathetic, kinder atmosphere. The American people are seeking solace and inspiration from its leaders, not pettiness and skullduggery. The time to act is now. The world is was with great interest and gratitude that I read Heidi Stevens' column 'President not owed quiet subservience' (Aug. 3). At a time when too many universities, law firms and politicians are rolling over and capitulating to this president's threats, it is a relief to see articles, such as Stevens', appearing in our local newspaper. But perhaps we are already witnessing a shift in attitude as President Donald Trump's actions become more and more dictatorial and erratic. Economists and others are voicing concerns over his blustering, threatening use of tariffs as a weapon in international affairs. A few Republican members of Congress have spoken out about his threats and denials regarding the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics employment report. Some law firms and universities are standing firm against intimidation. And, of course, there are the rallies and demonstrations where thousands of ordinary citizens are coming out in defense of democracy. I hope the 'quiet subservience' is actually coming to an end, because a Hungarian-style of government will not appeal to many Americans if it should come to pass.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
GOP lawmaker pushes to strip Democrat of committee assignment after saying she's ‘a proud Guatemalan before I am an American'
Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez is introducing a resolution that would remove Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez from the House Homeland Security Committee, citing recent comments the Democrat made at a summit in Mexico City. Ramirez, speaking at the Panamerican Congress earlier this month during the chamber's August recess, said: 'I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American.' The comment drew backlash on social media. Gimenez told CNN on Friday he was moving to strip his colleague from her committee assignment because he views her conduct as 'unbecoming of any member of Congress.' The Florida congressman's resolution is privileged, meaning it will receive a full vote in the House once lawmakers return in September. 'I was born Cuba and was exiled from my homeland shortly after the Communist takeover. Everything I am, I owe to this exceptional country of limitless opportunities,' Gimenez said in part in a statement. He added that 'when a Member of Congress openly declares allegiance to a foreign nation over the United States, it is not only unacceptable — it is disqualifying for service on a committee tasked with securing our homeland.' In response to the resolution, Ramirez said she 'saw this coming.' 'It's not normal, but it's predictable,' the congresswoman told CNN in a statement. 'I am the most progressive member of Congress on the Committee on Homeland Security. I speak out and was the first to call for (Homeland Security Secretary Kristi) Noem's resignation for the many ways she is violating our civil rights and undermining the Constitution.' Ramirez suggested President Donald Trump's administration and her Republican colleagues have criticized her 'because they hate what I stand for.' 'I represent diversity, I fight for equity, and I demand inclusion,' she said in her statement. 'They will use any opportunity to misconstrue what I said and weaponize it to attack me. I have and will continue to use my voice, my heritage, and my experience to defend everyone in America, our Constitution, and our rights.' Addressing on Monday the blowback she had received for the remark, Ramirez, an American citizen born to Guatemalan immigrants, argued that 'honoring (her) Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens (her) commitment to America.' 'No one questions when my white colleagues identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry. I've consistently expressed pride in my heritage and history - a pride also often reflected in the origin stories of my colleagues,' she said at the time. Ramirez is not the only Democrat who could be removed from the House Homeland Security Committee in September. GOP Rep. Clay Higgins has introduced a privileged resolution to censure Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, which would also remove her from the panel. McIver pleaded not guilty in June to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center during a congressional oversight visit at the facility. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses Newark's Delaney Hall, a privately owned, 1,000-bed facility, as a detention center. Democrats – including New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez – who were with McIver at the detention center that day, have criticized the arrest and disputed the charges. McIver has vowed to fight the charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cuban-born congressman calls for 'Squad' member's removal over ‘Guatemalan before American' remark
EXCLUSIVE: Rep. Carlos Gimenez, the lawmaker who fled the Castros' communist regime as a youth, put forward a resolution Friday to boot "Squad" member Rep. Delia Ramirez, D-Ill., from the Homeland Security committee for violating her oath of office. The resolution cites Ramirez's comments in Spanish during an event in Mexico City earlier this week, in which she declared, "I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American." "I was born in Cuba and exiled from my homeland shortly after the communist takeover," Gimenez, R-Fla., told Fox News Digital on Friday, just before he filed the bill during the House's brief pro-forma session. "Everything I am, I owe to this exceptional country of limitless opportunities that paved the way for a Cuban refugee like me to become a firefighter, fire chief, city manager, county commissioner, county mayor, and yes, even a member of Congress." Lone Cuban-born Rep 'Amped Up' To See Nation Liberated, After Emotional Return 64 Years In The Making "Only in America," said Gimenez, who is the only Cuban-born member of Congress. Read On The Fox News App While an immigrant himself, Gimenez said that when a fellow lawmaker "openly declares allegiance to a foreign nation" over the U.S., they lose the right to be in certain positions in the federal government. "It is not only unacceptable, it is disqualifying for service on a committee tasked with securing our homeland," he said. Gimenez also serves on the House Homeland Security Committee, chairing its maritime and transportation subcommittee. Exclusive: Venezuelan Oppo Leader Joins Cuba-born Rep To Laud Trump After Biden's Maduro Oil Deal Canceled Blowback continued online throughout the week, with actor James Woods quipping, "Well, okay then, Hasta La Vista." Conservative commentator Matt Walsh added that Ramirez should be arrested. Ramirez' office directed Fox News Digital to a statement on the blowback the Chicagoan received after her comments south of the border. The statement said, "Republican commentators" and the social media presence for the Department of Homeland Security wrongly attacked her for "showing pride in her multi-cultural, multi-ethnic heritage." Ramirez said she is a U.S. citizen by birth and that the attacks over the past days were "a weak attempt to silence my dissent and invalidate my patriotic criticism of the nativist, White supremacist, authoritarians in government. It is the definition of hypocrisy that members of Congress, who betray their oath each day they enable Trump, are attacking me for celebrating my Guatemalan-American roots." Ramirez added that "no one questions" her many colleagues who celebrate their Irish ancestry, or others of similar Caucasian descent. "I am the daughter of immigrants and the daughter of America. I am both Chapina and American. I am from both Guatemala and Chicago, Illinois." Ramirez later offered a formal response to Fox News Digital, saying she saw Gimenez' effort coming. "It's not normal, but it's predictable. I am the most progressive member of Congress on the Committee on Homeland Security," Ramirez said. "I speak out and was the first to call for Noem's resignation for the many ways she is violating our civil rights and undermining the Constitution. The Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are attacking me because they hate what I stand for: I represent diversity, I fight for equity, and I demand inclusion." "They will use any opportunity to misconstrue what I said and weaponize it to attack me. I have and will continue to use my voice, my heritage, and my experience to defend everyone in America, our Constitution, and our rights," the Chicago congresswoman article source: Cuban-born congressman calls for 'Squad' member's removal over 'Guatemalan before American' remark Solve the daily Crossword
CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
GOP lawmaker pushes to strip Democrat of committee assignment after saying she's ‘a proud Guatemalan before I am an American'
Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez is introducing a resolution that would remove Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez from the House Homeland Security Committee, citing recent comments the Democrat made at a summit in Mexico City. Ramirez, speaking at the Panamerican Congress earlier this month during the chamber's August recess, said: 'I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American.' The comment drew backlash on social media. Gimenez told CNN on Friday he was moving to strip his colleague from her committee assignment because he views her conduct as 'unbecoming of any member of Congress.' The Florida congressman's resolution is privileged, meaning it will receive a full vote in the House once lawmakers return in September. 'I was born Cuba and was exiled from my homeland shortly after the Communist takeover. Everything I am, I owe to this exceptional country of limitless opportunities,' Gimenez said in part in a statement. He added that 'when a Member of Congress openly declares allegiance to a foreign nation over the United States, it is not only unacceptable — it is disqualifying for service on a committee tasked with securing our homeland.' In response to the resolution, Ramirez said she 'saw this coming.' 'It's not normal, but it's predictable,' the congresswoman told CNN in a statement. 'I am the most progressive member of Congress on the Committee on Homeland Security. I speak out and was the first to call for (Homeland Security Secretary Kristi) Noem's resignation for the many ways she is violating our civil rights and undermining the Constitution.' Ramirez suggested President Donald Trump's administration and her Republican colleagues have criticized her 'because they hate what I stand for.' 'I represent diversity, I fight for equity, and I demand inclusion,' she said in her statement. 'They will use any opportunity to misconstrue what I said and weaponize it to attack me. I have and will continue to use my voice, my heritage, and my experience to defend everyone in America, our Constitution, and our rights.' Addressing on Monday the blowback she had received for the remark, Ramirez, an American citizen born to Guatemalan immigrants, argued that 'honoring (her) Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens (her) commitment to America.' 'No one questions when my white colleagues identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry. I've consistently expressed pride in my heritage and history - a pride also often reflected in the origin stories of my colleagues,' she said at the time. Ramirez is not the only Democrat who could be removed from the House Homeland Security Committee in September. GOP Rep. Clay Higgins has introduced a privileged resolution to censure Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, which would also remove her from the panel. McIver pleaded not guilty in June to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center during a congressional oversight visit at the facility. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses Newark's Delaney Hall, a privately owned, 1,000-bed facility, as a detention center. Democrats – including New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez – who were with McIver at the detention center that day, have criticized the arrest and disputed the charges. McIver has vowed to fight the charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CNN
5 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
GOP lawmaker pushes to strip Democrat of committee assignment after saying she's ‘a proud Guatemalan before I am an American'
Republican Rep. Carlos Gimenez is introducing a resolution that would remove Illinois Rep. Delia Ramirez from the House Homeland Security Committee, citing recent comments the Democrat made at a summit in Mexico City. Ramirez, speaking at the Panamerican Congress earlier this month during the chamber's August recess, said: 'I am a proud Guatemalan before I am an American.' The comment drew backlash on social media. Gimenez told CNN on Friday he was moving to strip his colleague from her committee assignment because he views her conduct as 'unbecoming of any member of Congress.' The Florida congressman's resolution is privileged, meaning it will receive a full vote in the House once lawmakers return in September. 'I was born Cuba and was exiled from my homeland shortly after the Communist takeover. Everything I am, I owe to this exceptional country of limitless opportunities,' Gimenez said in part in a statement. He added that 'when a Member of Congress openly declares allegiance to a foreign nation over the United States, it is not only unacceptable — it is disqualifying for service on a committee tasked with securing our homeland.' In response to the resolution, Ramirez said she 'saw this coming.' 'It's not normal, but it's predictable,' the congresswoman told CNN in a statement. 'I am the most progressive member of Congress on the Committee on Homeland Security. I speak out and was the first to call for (Homeland Security Secretary Kristi) Noem's resignation for the many ways she is violating our civil rights and undermining the Constitution.' Ramirez suggested President Donald Trump's administration and her Republican colleagues have criticized her 'because they hate what I stand for.' 'I represent diversity, I fight for equity, and I demand inclusion,' she said in her statement. 'They will use any opportunity to misconstrue what I said and weaponize it to attack me. I have and will continue to use my voice, my heritage, and my experience to defend everyone in America, our Constitution, and our rights.' Addressing on Monday the blowback she had received for the remark, Ramirez, an American citizen born to Guatemalan immigrants, argued that 'honoring (her) Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens (her) commitment to America.' 'No one questions when my white colleagues identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry. I've consistently expressed pride in my heritage and history - a pride also often reflected in the origin stories of my colleagues,' she said at the time. Ramirez is not the only Democrat who could be removed from the House Homeland Security Committee in September. GOP Rep. Clay Higgins has introduced a privileged resolution to censure Democratic Rep. LaMonica McIver, which would also remove her from the panel. McIver pleaded not guilty in June to federal charges accusing her of assaulting and interfering with immigration officers outside a New Jersey detention center during a congressional oversight visit at the facility. Immigration and Customs Enforcement uses Newark's Delaney Hall, a privately owned, 1,000-bed facility, as a detention center. Democrats – including New Jersey Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez – who were with McIver at the detention center that day, have criticized the arrest and disputed the charges. McIver has vowed to fight the charges. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
