Even as several members of Connecticut’s Congressional delegation offered generic and non-committal congratulations to President Donald Trump, Sen. Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Chris Murphy sounded the alarm about a billionaire takeover of government and the normalization of political violence.
The two senators offered an unprecedentedly stark, dark warning about an incoming administration, with Murphy saying he sees his duty now as trying to stop “the overthrow of the rule of law.” Blumenthal said he’ll be seeking out bipartisan support for restraints on some of Trump’s executive orders.
After watching the ceremony at the Capitol Rotunda, Blumenthal said he was troubled that Big Tech CEOs were given second row seating above some of the highest-ranking officials in federal and state government.
“I was struck by the panorama of Big Tech billionaires seat on a higher platform than Supreme Court justices, while governors were relegated to a separate room. It was a picture of government for sale … of government by oligarchy,” Blumenthal said Monday afternoon.
Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, Jeff Bezos of Amazon, Sundar Pichai of Google and Elon Musk of Tesla all were given seats behind the First Family.
Trump, a populist president, is flanked by tech billionaires at his inauguration
“You’re watching the billionaire takeover of government as they ask for government handouts and get ready for tax cuts,” said Murphy, who didn’t attend the inaugural because of Trump’s plan to pardon hundreds of Jan. 6 rioters.
Murphy also said Americans should be concerned that the heads of major social media outlets are so close to Trump. The biggest media companies are getting “folded into” the Trump administration, he said.
“When Facebook pledges allegiance to Donald Trump, when Trump talks about taking a 50% stake in TikTok, when Twitter is being run out of the White House, that ultimately spells doom for American democracy.”
“By endorsing political violence his first day, he’s inviting political violence to be normalized,” said Murphy, who warned that it would set a precedent encouraging angry voters to turn to violence in future elections.
Both senators told reporters that they’re willing to work with Trump’s administration, but said they couldn’t ignore the tone of his speech Monday.
“America is crying out for bipartisan initiatives. I was really hoping for a unifying message seeking to bring the country together. Instead it was replete with grievances and grandiosity,” Blumenthal said. “We’re seeing a play to looters and polluters, the billionaires and Big Tech giants.”
Murphy said he was able to pursue progress on narrow areas of policy agreement with Trump’s first administration, but added “His agenda is more dangerous (this time) and the avenues for bipartisan cooperation are fewer.”
When questioned about Trump’s discussion of regaining control of the Panama Canal, Murphy said that’s just a smokescreen.
“We’re not invading Greenland or taking over the Panama Canal. All he’s trying to do is divert your attention from the billionaire takeover of government,” Murphy said.
“We can’t overhype how dangerous it is that today as he’s being sworn in, he’s pardoning the people who tried to tear down our Capitol and install into power the loser of the 2020 election,” Murphy told reporters.
Murphy said that bipartisan support could block billionaire tax cuts, but will take an outcry from average Americans.
“When Donald Trump was sworn in the first time, their number one target was the Affordable Care Act. Everyone said it was a done deal, but they didn’t get it done because we want out and rallied the country,” Murphy said. “I’ll be working to build a massive political campaign against his billionaire tax cut.”
Connecticut’s Attorney General early Monday issued a statement and video message to Connecticut ahead of the inauguration of President-Elect Donald Trump.
The message was shared with readers as it was released and as the nation prepped for the inauguration Monday on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Trump’s inauguration: Who from CT is going and why. And who isn’t going.
This is what Attorney General William Tong released:
“Today, we inaugurate a new President. While the vast majority in Connecticut wanted a different direction, this is the path our nation chose. Many tell me they have never been more worried for the future of our country. I have never been more resolute and determined to fight for it.
Watch the video here.
Today and every day, I draw strength and purpose from my immigrant parents and families like ours who know only one direction — forward. Nancy and Ady Tong did not have the luxury of being afraid, of worrying for the future, doubting the choices they made, or making a retreat. My parents had nothing when they came here and nothing about their future was given or guaranteed. They had to fight for it.
It wasn’t pretty, sometimes it was messy, but my parents were strong and fearless, and they had a clear vision that if they worked as hard as they possibly could, their children would prosper. In other words, they are Americans. I do not have to imagine or wonder what it must have been like for my immigrant parents, because I worked side-by-side with them in our Chinese restaurant. I saw both of them work themselves sick; my Dad had a heart attack as a young man, and my mother carried the five of us to term, on her feet every day in the restaurant until each of us came into the world. And when we were born, each of us was born an American citizen, by right of our birth on American soil and the plain text of the Fourteenth Amendment.
So many Connecticut and American families share our story. This is the enduring beauty of our country and the core of the American Dream. And it is possible only here, where in just one generation one can go from a hot Chinese restaurant kitchen to be the Attorney General of one of the original thirteen.
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Many in Connecticut have asked where we go from here. How will we respond to the risks and threats against Connecticut and Connecticut families? We will do what we always do — we will look out for each other. We will not turn our backs on our family, friends and neighbors. We will fight anger and division because we know it does not feed our families, educate our children, power our economy, or make us whole.
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As Attorney General of the sovereign state of Connecticut, I will enforce our law and implement our policy. It is the policy of the state of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect immigrants and immigrant families. It is the policy of the state of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect women, patients, doctors, and nurses, and the reproductive rights of all people. It is the policy of the state of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect working people the and the right to organize and form a union. It is the policy of the state of Connecticut to respect, honor and protect all Connecticut families, including LGBTQ+ families. It is the policy and the law of the state of Connecticut to take care of each other. If the President and the federal government violate Connecticut’s sovereignty, laws and policy, Connecticut will stand its ground and fight back.
Connecticut led the way at the founding of our nation. We have a special responsibility to lead again. Our response today must be more than opposition and defense. We must go on offense. When this President and this Congress fail to deliver on their most basic promises and obligations, Connecticut will lead. We will continue to be confident, affirmative and strong in the fight against gun violence, the opioid epidemic, the public health and civic crises of social media addiction, and the fight to protect our climate.
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We are prepared for the fight ahead because we have been on these front lines before. When Trump 1.0 tried to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, we stopped him. When Trump 1.0 tried to defund Connecticut police, we blocked him. When Trump 1.0 tried to dismantle the U.S. Postal Service to for political gain, we sued and we stopped him. When Trump 1.0 tried to roll back federal climate and clean air regulations, we sued and we won. That firewall never came down. I do not know how these fights will go, and I cannot promise we will win every battle. But I know this — when my parents fell and failed they barely took a breath before they were on their feet again. Attorneys general across the country are on our feet today, and we have never been more coordinated, determined and ready for this fight.
I spend my days in every corner of Connecticut, listening to our neighbors, helping them whenever I can, and when I am lucky, sharing a bite to eat. I know our people and my relationship with Connecticut families grows deeper every day. I know that Connecticut families are confident, affirmative and strong. We are unbowed and we will not be intimidated, no matter what they throw at us. And like the people of our state, I will never quit, I will never surrender, and I will never, ever back down.”
Following Tong’s statement, other leaders also released comments as the nation awaited the inauguration.
U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-04, said, “There is no moment more fundamental to a successful democracy than the peaceful transfer of power. It’s not the outcome I voted for, but Donald Trump won the votes of 77 million Americans and it is our responsibility as representatives to carry out the people’s will. To that end, I will attend today’s inauguration ceremony.
“But do not conflate respect for our institution with acquiescence to the dangerous, extreme and, often, illogical whims of the President-elect. I have grave misgivings about his ability to lead with the respect and integrity that we should demand from our Commander in Chief, and I am committed to fighting back against his attempts to further radicalize and divide this country.”
U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1, said, “As the duly elected member of the House of Representatives for Connecticut’s First Congressional District, it is both a matter of respect and institutional formality to be present at President-elect Trump’s inauguration, and I have been to every one since I was elected to the House.”
“Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and it is incumbent to hear the President-elect’s inaugural address and witness the peaceful transition of government under our Constitution. In a democracy, the peaceful transfer of power is a tradition that should be upheld and underscored by your presence. It is my sincere hope that we will be able to work with President-elect Trump to get things done for the American people. We are, however, a system of checks and balances, and if the Trump agenda moves to cut Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, or SNAP benefits, I, and our entire delegation, stand ready to push back and fight for the people of our state and the United States of America.”
U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney, D-2, said Monday, “Congratulations to President Trump and Vice President Vance. After 248 years of our democracy, we are once again reminded that the peaceful transfer of power and the inauguration of a new president is at the core of our nation’s identity.
“I look forward to working with the new administration whenever and wherever possible to lower the cost of living and expand opportunity for the people of eastern Connecticut. I am determined to ensure that the new administration supports my work in Congress to continue the recent multi-year investments in education and job training that is critical to expanding shipbuilding and our nation’s defense industrial base.
He said, “Today is also a moment to reflect on the decades of service former President Biden dedicated to our country. Over the last four years, his administration enacted the largest expansion of veterans’ health care, significantly lowered the cost of prescription drugs for seniors, and created more good-paying jobs than any other president in one term. I look forward to protecting and building on this momentum during the 119th Congress.”
U.S. Rep Jahana Hayes said after attending the ceremony “Today, our nation witnessed the inauguration of President Donald J. Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance. The peaceful transfer of power is a cornerstone of our system of government, and we should all reflect on this historic moment.”
