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I wrote the speech I *wish* Chuck Schumer would give tonight - as an actual opposition leader. Here it is: "My fellow Americans: At this hour, an unrestrained force of militarized and violent federal officers is carrying out a project of ethnic cleansing in the streets of American cities." 1/14

Chuck Schumer@schumer.senate.gov

Senate Democrats will not provide the votes to proceed to the appropriations bill if the DHS funding bill is included.

"The toll of this project is plain to those who are willing to look: Our communities are under assault. Our neighbors are suffering. Our families are being torn asunder at the hands of our own government and their bullets."

"They regularly *kidnap* our children. They steal our mothers and fathers. They send innocent people to foreign concentration camps without recourse. And today, once again, they took the life of a fellow Americar who objected to this reign of terror."

"We are at a crisis point. And so tonight, as a leader of the opposition - a leader of the American opposition to his sick authoritarian vision - I want to tell you clearly what we plan to do to *stop* it and to protect Americans during this government-inflicted crisis."

"First, we will do all we can to turn off the spigot of violence. I can announce that every Democratic senator will vote no on funding the Dept of Homeland Security. We will do our constitutional duty of oversight and prevent this rogue agency from seizing any more power to terrorize the public."

"Second, with regard to the brave people on the front-line who have taken up the proud American tradition of non-violent civil resistance and witness: we have your back. I have spent these last days in conversation with our party's most generous and committed donors..."

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"They have agreed to fund a national legal defense fund to support those who need anything from bail support to specialized counsel. This effort is crucial and these courageous people must continue to stand watch over our democracy and our most vulnerable, and we will be there for them."

"Third, a word on what the American people can expect should they return the Democratic party to power on Capitol Hill this November. We will employ our full investigative powers to get to the bottom of the abuses of ICE and the Department of Homeland Security. We will leave no stone unturned."

"We will seek the truth. Seek justice. We will find out who gave every order, if laws were broken in the process, and who must be held responsible for this horrific culture of impunity. Those who do not comply we will hold in contempt of Congress."

"And though Trump's corrupt Justice Department will likely ignore any criminal referrals, we will share our findings with the public and state attorneys general who can take appropriate legal actions."

This letter is indeed what we should demand Schumer say, understanding that the "party's most generous and committed donors" include many of the billionaires that are supporting the GOP as well. And that is why the party will not rally to defend us. It is something we must do ourselves.