By Tashi McQueen
AFRO Staff Writer
tmcqueen@afro.com
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other Democratic leaders in Maryland gathered for their annual Maryland Democratic Party Gala to outline top priorities from Annapolis, Md., to Washington, D.C.
After a less than satisfactory general election and the 2026 gubernatorial election on the horizon, Democrats unified around mounting public unease over the 47th president’s actions in the White House thus far and what’s to come.
“We will not give in to those who are trying to weaponize fear and despair,” said U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) during the gala on June 12. “We will not be intimidated in silence. We must raise our voices now more than ever.”
Moore echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the importance of taking meaningful action.
“We have to show by example that there is a better way,” said Moore. “In Maryland, we are showing there’s a better way by making sure that we are standing up for our federal workers and making sure they are placed in available state, federal and private sector jobs, knowing that their service is not only valued, but also their service is going to be rewarded.”
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller (D) touted Moore’s ability to invest in Black excellence.
“He secured $1.3 billion for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and a nearly 60 percent increase,” said Miller. “He expanded opportunities for minority business enterprises, making sure contracts reflect the full diversity of Maryland.”
Throughout the night, legislators condemned the forced removal of U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Ca.) from Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem’s press conference that occurred earlier that day.
“Here is a sitting United States senator who got handcuffed and thrown to the ground just for showing up and asking questions,” said Warnock. “Anybody who’s paying attention ought to be deeply concerned about what is happening to our democracy. This attack is appalling. It is inexcusable.”
DHS has said that Padilla did not introduce himself as a senator and that officers—at least initially—did not realize he was a Congressman. However, footage of the incident shows Padilla announcing himself as he attempted to ask his questions and law enforcement began forcibly removing him from the room.
U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskins (D-Md.) linked the incident to larger concerns about political retaliation.
“This is just one of many assaults on Congress, on other branches of government, on the rights of the people,” Raskins said. “They have charged my colleague in the house, U.S. Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.-10), with offenses that could have her be imprisoned for 17 years for going to a scheduled visit at an ICE (United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement) facility.”
According to the U.S. State’s Attorney’s Office District of New Jersey, McIver was charged in a three-count indictment for allegedly interfering with federal officers as they attempted to arrest someone outside the Delaney Hall Federal Immigration Facility in Newark, N.J. on May 9.
The indictment alleges that McIver and other members of Congress intervened when federal officers attempted to arrest the Mayor of Newark Ras J. Baraka during a congressional inspection that occurred at the same time of an immigration protest. As officers went to detain Baraka, McIver physically stopped them—surrounding the mayor, striking one officer with her forearm, grabbing him, and using both forearms to hit a second officer. McIver maintains her innocence.
U.S. Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) pressed upon Maryland Democrats that now is the time to unite as a party.
“I want you to remember that in this time, it’s going to be so important that we take care of each other and that we guard our soul,” said Alsobrooks. “Stay in the fight. We are in a season and it will pass.”