Washington's political leaders are standing firm against federal overreach. Senate Majority Leader Jamie Pedersen (D-Seattle) and House Speaker Laurie Jinkins (D-Tacoma) released a joint statement on Friday, pushing back against President Trump's claim that he can federalize the National Guard without the need for approval from state governors. In their statement, Pedersen and Jinkins highlighted that not only is the president's assertion "deeply disturbing," it's also legally unsound, as reinforced in a recent court decision. "This militarization appears to be an attempt to provoke violence as Washingtonians stand up for their friends and neighbors who are currently being targeted at home, at school, and at work," they remarked, according to a statement obtained by House Democrats of Washington State. The lawmakers emphasized the actions taken in the last session to curb unauthorized National Guard deployments where possible.
Continuing their defense of local rights and civil liberties, Pedersen and Jinkins affirmed their state’s commitment to the immigrant community, referencing the Keep Washington Working Act designed as a protective buffer for residents' private information. "We join people across our state in supporting the immigrants who live and work here, and who have made Washington home," they said. This legislative move aims to allow people to go about their daily lives without the looming threat of undue fear.
In the face of potential conflict, the Senate Majority Leader and Speaker of the House encouraged Washingtonians to uphold peace and solidarity. They wholeheartedly backed the constitutional right to protest and anticipated its exercise throughout the state and nation over the weekend. Their statement underscored a call for peaceful demonstration, stating, "We unequivocally support people’s constitutional right to protest and express their fundamental First Amendment freedom to do so." Moreover, they urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and not play into the narrative of violence and unrest that the president and his supporters are suggesting exists.
Pedersen and Jinkins asserted the power of unity in peaceful protest, concluding their statement by stressing that a united front would significantly amplify the message and power of the people. "When we unite in peaceful protest, it makes our message and collective voice much more powerful," they expressed. The clarion call from Washington's legislators is a clear sign of the times: a firm stance on protecting rights and advocating for non-violence in the face of political tension.
