Democrats will use a wave of lawsuits and public pressure to try to stop President Donald Trump from changing federal policies, including cuts to vital social service programs relied on by Brooklyn residents, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries said at a town hall in Canarsie on Tuesday.
Hundreds of Brooklyn residents filed the auditorium of Canarsie High School Tuesday night for Jeffries’ “Save Social Security” town hall, held in the wake of President Trump’s threats to cut the program.
Jeffries promised that he and fellow Democrats in Washington would rail against the president’s actions in court, pointing towards a lawsuit filed with his colleagues against an executive order aimed at overhauling elections.
“Part of our early strategy had to be to sue them as often as we could,” said Jeffries, highlighting New York Attorney General Letitia James and her legal pursuits against the president.
Jeffries proudly exclaimed that his communication with other Democratic attorneys general and civil advocacy groups will be a large part of the fight against the White House.
“Right now more than 150 or so lawsuits have been filed related to at least 75 different unconstitutional and unlawful executive orders,” he said.
The House Minority Leader also took the opportunity to address several other issues affecting Brooklynites, such as cuts to veterans services, Medicare, Medicaid and immigration concerns.
Many constituents from the 8th Congressional district, which covers parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, Spring Creek, East Flatbush, Marine Park, and Mill Basin, said they were threatened by Trump's promises to slash federal funding for many of the programs they relied on.
Yonette Wilson, a dietary aide at Interfaith Medical Center in Bedford-Stuyvesant, said her father has several comorbidities and relies solely on Medicare and Medicaid to pay for his medical needs.
“I stand here and ask you that we all fight collectively to stop this bleed of these greedy corporations,” said Wilson, referring to health insurance companies.
Wilson, who also spoke to BK Reader at the end of the town hall, said she’s confident that Jeffries will deliver on promises to fight orders coming from Washington that directly affect people like her.
“Our seniors and children with disabilities rely on Medicare,” said Wilson. “Without that, they are going to lose the only home they know – so I’m confident he will act on this.”
Sarah H. from Canarsie stood in the auditorium’s front row to ask Jeffries how questionable Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainments can be stopped.
“I know that you may want to give me a really good political answer, but me and my friends are scared,” said Sarah H., a naturalized citizen who withheld her last name. “What they’re doing is frightening and we don’t feel safe.”
In response, Jeffries continuously pinpointed the forces he believes are necessary to combating Trump’s agenda: public pressure and the justice system.
“We’re going to do it as members of Congress, but we’re going to need the American people to join us," said Jeffries. “We’re going to have to make it clear to the courts that if the administration is going to try to stare you down, the courts have to step up and respond aggressively.”
The congressman pointed to several upcoming “days of action,” with one centered around Medicaid on Thursday, followed by a “week of action” dedicated to the cost of living.
Jeffries urged his constituents to stay civically engaged, rally friends and family and keep in touch with his office.
Elaine Young was convinced Jeffries would stop Trump's agenda from moving forward. The Brownsville native said she’s always trusted Jeffries to get the job done, as his office helped one of her family members with a housing issue in the past.
“He covered everything from A to Z,” said Young, regarding the assurances provided by Jeffries during the town hall. “He is an exceptional congressman. He’s going to be able to deliver.”
