Federal lawmakers were allowed to bring guests to the State of the Union . Several Inland Empire Democratic congressmembers are using tonight’s address to send a message to Donald Trump.
Congressman Mark Takano, a Riverside Democrat, invited George Retes, a 26-year-old U.S. citizen and Army veteran who was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a large federal immigration raid last summer.
Retes, who previously deployed to Iraq and later worked as a security guard in Ventura County, had his car windows broken by ICE agents, who later pepper-sprayed him, pinned him to the ground and detained him for three days. He is now suing the federal government over the incident.
“People are noticing. People are paying attention,” said Retes. “It's more important now than ever to use my voice, use our voices, to speak out about what's going on.”
Other Inland Empire Democrats focused their guests on rising health care costs. Congressman Raul Ruiz brought local medical consultant and small business owner Frank Brabec to highlight skyrocketing insurance premiums and access to care.
Congresswoman Norma Torres invited nurse and labor leader Linda Hippolyte, a leader with UNAC/UNHC, who was among thousands of health care workers who went on strike against Kaiser Permanente.
Meanwhile, Republicans from the region kept their guest lists closer to home. Congressman Ken Calvert invited Riverside County Auditor-Controller Ben Benoit, while Congressman Jay Obernolte attended alongside his wife.
Calvert posted on social media that President Trump is helping American families by cutting taxes, lowering prescription drug prices, curbing inflation and expanding energy production, adding that “the state of the union is strong and getting stronger.”
