Why It Matters

Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) spent the week focused on two issues with direct resonance in Denver, economic anxiety and immigration enforcement tactics.

The Denver Democrat used her public platform to criticize the Trump administration and congressional Republicans on economic and immigration policy, including ICE’s plan to purchase electric shock gloves for officers. The Department of Homeland Security published a notice outlining plans for ICE to spend between $10 million and $20 million on thousands of the devices for officers and agents.

What They're Talking About

On Aug. 10, DeGette took aim at Republican economic policy, writing that “Donald Trump and Congressional Republicans prioritized tax breaks for their billionaire buddies over passing an agenda to make your life more affordable,” and adding that “nearly 8 out of 10 Americans feel the economy isn't working for them.” Her post attributed the figure to an August AP-NORC poll.

Two days later, she turned to immigration enforcement. ICE plans to purchase gloves that deliver electrical shocks through direct skin contact and are intended to gain compliance from people who are resisting. DeGette called the move “shameful,” writing that “people have suffered enough from these violent ICE agents,” and renewed her call to abolish the agency. Her public account confirms her criticism of the planned purchase.

The ICE comment carries particular weight in Denver, where local officials have repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration over federal immigration enforcement. The Denver City Council unanimously approved an ordinance in March prohibiting law enforcement officers, including federal immigration agents, from wearing most face coverings while interrogating, detaining or arresting people in the city. DHS had previously said it would not comply with the restriction, arguing that masks protect federal officers from harassment and doxxing.

A federal judge also ruled in May that ICE officers in Colorado had repeatedly violated a court order limiting warrantless immigration arrests. The judge ordered additional training and warned that officers could otherwise lose the ability to conduct such warrantless arrests.

In the News

DeGette was mentioned in a Legis1 report published Aug. 10 on political spending by the National Association of Realtors Political Action Committee. According to the article, Diana DeGette for Congress received $28,000 from RPAC this election cycle, tying House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) for the largest direct contribution to a House campaign identified in the report.

RPAC supports candidates from both parties who advance real estate and property ownership priorities. The National Association of Realtors describes the PAC as bipartisan and says its contributions support candidates who back REALTOR priorities.

Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.

Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article