GOP Congressman Shuts Down Democrat Colleague In Tense Exchange On Laken Riley Act During Town Hall

Posted • April 11, 2025: On Thursday night, CNN held a battleground district town hall featuring four House of Representatives members, where actions taken by the GOP Congressional majority and the Trump administration so far were discussed, with questions being asked along the way by audience members. In attendance on the Democrat side were Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA) and Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT). On the Republican side, there were Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA) and Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY). One of the issues that came up during the town hall was the Laken Riley Act, with one questioner asking Tran why he voted for it despite what the questioner alleged were due process concerns. "So, with Trump's immigration policy and mass deportations, I'm getting really concerned about legislation like the Laken Riley Act, which begs the question of whether due process exists still in America," energy engineer Johnny Nguyen said, according to the CNN transcript.

"So, given your background, both as an attorney and also the son of immigrants like myself, what made you vote yes on that?" Though Tran said he understood from experience how "we have to treat people with humanity and have empathy," he nevertheless defended his vote by saying, "I believe that when you commit a crime, you should be deported. That made sense to me. As a lawyer, I believe in law and order as well." It was at that point that the town hall's co-moderator, Kaitlan Collins, pulled Rep. Hayes into the debate by noting that she, too, had voted for the Laken Riley Act. —— Blaming President Trump for her decision to vote on the Laken Riley Act is something, I guess. NOT A GOOD LOOK: Democratic Rep. Jahana Hayes says that she now regrets voting for the Laken Riley Act. (…)

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https://redstate.com/sister-toldjah/2025/04/11/connecticut-democrat-steps-in-it-when-asked-if-she-regrets-voting-for-the-laken-riley-act-n2187744